DISEASES AND rREATMENT OF THE HORSE 301 
anything that causes a blow hard enough fractures these 
bones. 
Symptoms. — The horse is very lame and holds the leg up 
because of the pain. Take hold of the leg and twist it a 
little and the ends of the fractured bones may be heard to 
grate together. 
Treatment. — If an old animal destroy him at once, but if 
a colt or young horse, keep him quiet in slings. After the leg 
is straightened apply a starch bandage, which is a bandage 
wrung out of starch. Put a good lot of the bandage on and 
hold the leg straight until the bandage hardens. It will then 
hold the broken leg straight. Leave it on for four or five 
weeks, until sure that the bones are well knit together. 
18. Break Down. 
This is when the tendons and ligaments at the back of 
the fetlock give way and allow the fetlock to drop down 
almost upon the ground. This is mostly met with in running 
or racing horses, such as are put to very severe exertion. 
Treatment. — The fetlock cannot be restored to its natural 
state. Blister once a month with the following: 
Pulverized Cantharides or Spanish Fly 2 drams. 
Vaseline or Lard , 1 ounce. 
Mix and rub about half of this in along the back of the 
fetlock. Allow it to remain for three days and let the animal 
run out to pasture. Repeat the blister until the lameness has 
pretty well disappeared. If very lame, keep him in the stable 
for a while, and bathe with warm water and salt twice a day. 
After bathing, apply the white liniment until the lameness 
has nearly gone, then blister and turn him out. 
19. Sprain of the Stifle Joint. 
Symptoms. — The animal cannot bring the leg forward, 
and it is very sore, as indicated by pressure around the joint. 
Treatment. — Bathe twice a day with hot water and vine- 
gar containing a little salt. After bathing wipe dry and apply 
the white liniment. Keep the animal quiet to give the 
sprained parts rest. 
20. Dislocation of the Patella or Stifle Out, 
This is when the patella or stifle bone slips out of the 
pulley-like process of bone in front of the stiffle joint. As 
