THE MANNER IN WHICH A HORSE HAVING ULCERATION
OF THE ELBOW-JOINT ENDEAVORS TO PROGRESS.
Disease of the knee-joint is far from unusual. Mr. Cherry first directed attention to this fact; for, although dissection had frequently exhibited the carpal bones united, no one prior to Mr. Cherry drew any inference from the obvious indication.
Mr. Cherry describes the symptoms of the affection to be a stiffened protrusion of the fore leg, a long step, and an entire want of flexion in the diseased limb.
The author is unable to corroborate the above observations, possibly from his attention only having been directed to a few cases, and those not of a very acute character. The writer has, however, remarked, in certain instances, a perpetual knuckling over, without deposit in the knee or contraction in the tendons being present to account for the assumption of so uncomfortable an attitude. A want of power to bend the leg was noted in a few animals. Such horses either placed the limb outside the body when they lay down, or rested upon their sides; and lameness, though always present, was never witnessed in an aggravated shape.
THE HEALTHY LEG WHEN THE HORSE IS
LYING DOWN.
THE NEAREST APPROACH MADE BY THE
HEEL TO THE ELBOW IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS
OF THE KNEE-JOINT.
No human lamentation could embody the deep sorrow which the crippled condition of one leg occasions to the horse. The creature thereby is left a clog upon the earth. Its existence is deprived of the power which alone made it pleasant. Progression is laborious, and even rest is painful. The quadruped, thus disabled, stands motionless on one spot; the head is lowered; the eyes are dejected; the breathing is fitful; and the entire frame is apparently resigned to a huge sense of degradation. All the pride of life is lost. Every trace of animation has fled. The animal evidently is, in its own conviction, useless and disgraced. A horse in such a state is, indeed, a melancholy spectacle; and the feelings of that man who, understanding the image, can contemplate it unmoved are not to be envied. Still, for how many years has such a sight been before the eyes of mankind, without any individual possessing the heart to interpret it!