SPRAIN OF THE STIFLE-JOINT. 129 
so that all we can do is to allow Nature to work her own 
cure. A large and strong adhesive plaster may be laid 
across the haunch, which will, in some measure, assist in 
keeping together and supporting the parts. It seldom, how¬ 
ever, happens that the parts again adhere in their natural 
position, consequently deformity and lameness are entailed 
upon the animal for life. 
SPRAIN OF THE ROUND BONE. 
Symptoms. —The rounded termination of the femur or 
thigh-bone is in common language termed the round-bone. 
In a few isolated cases this part has been dislocated, and the 
rounded part which fits into the cavity of the hip-joint is 
fractured ; but sprain of this part is more commonly the 
case. The indication of this is, that the horse drags his 
leg after him, with the toe only touching the ground as he 
walks. If the bone itself has been injured, heat and ten¬ 
derness of the part will generally be manifested. 
Remedies. —It seldom happens that strains of this joint 
are immediately relieved; and from the want of proper 
action the muscles of the limb waste away. A blister is 
the most likely thing to be of use, and the horse should not 
be subjected to any kind of work. Firing has sometimes 
relieved the complaint. Should this fail, the only thing 
that remains to be done is to put a charge over the joint, 
and turn the animal out to grass for some months. 
SPRAIN OF THE STIFLE-JOINT. 
It is but seldom that this joint is sprained. When it 
does happen, heat and tenderness of the part will give an 
indication of it. Sometimes dislocation of the patella, or 
small bone, answering to the knee-pan in man, occurs 
