—is the centrical joint of the leg, where the fore-thigh is united to the shank-bone. Its formation is of such strength, that a LAMENESS, by twist, distortion, or any other injury, is hardly ever sustained in this part, but by the accident of falling; which frequently happens, and, if attended with a blemish, very much reduces the previous value of the horse. Prominencies in a pavement, or rolling stones upon a road, are sometimes the occasion of such misfortunes, even to those who are in general exceedingly sure-footed, and of the most valuable description. Custom has, however, introduced, of late years, such an unprecedented degree of precaution in an examination of the KNEES, that the slightest touch cannot be expected to pass unnoticed amidst so much scrutinizing inspection; and if once appearances are sufficient to justify a doubt, the object immediately sinks in estimation, however superior he may be in other respects and qualifications. This being so great a disadvantage when a horse is to be sold, it evidently points out the absolute necessity of a minute examination before he is bought, as a want of it may produce considerable loss, and serious reflection. Loss of hair upon the knees, when not too severely affected, may sometimes be restored by a daily application of very strong camphorated liniment.
L.
LAIR
—was a term formerly applied to the haunt of outlying deer, and implied the place near which they might probably be found. It is, however, but little known in that sense, and is now used to express the part of a forest, chase, heath, or common, where any particular horse, cow, or other cattle, is accustomed to frequent when turned out, which is then called their LAIR, and where (or in the neighbourhood of it) their owners are generally sure to find them.
LAMENESS in HORSES
—proceeds from a variety of causes, and requires much patient investigation to ascertain, to a certainty, the exact seat of injury; for want of which judicious precaution, mischief frequently follows. Horses are sometimes persecuted, blistered, and fired, for a LAMENESS in one part, which ultimately proves to be in another; and this alone sufficiently points out the absolute necessity of a deliberate discrimination. As lameness proceeds from different causes, so it is of different kinds, and requires various modes of treatment, equally opposite to each other. This cannot be more forcibly elucidated, than by adverting to the difference between a lameness originating in a relaxation of the SINEWS, and a ligamentary injury sustained by a sudden turn, twist, or distortion, of some particular JOINT. These require a very different mode of treatment; and yet it is too much, and too unthinkingly the custom, to treat every kind of lameness in the same way. From either a want of patience in the owner, or a want of prudence in the practitioner, the favourite operation of BLISTERING is thought applicable to every case without exception; and being often resorted to before the inflammation of the part has sufficiently subsided, occasions a permanent enlargement, with a thickening of the integument, and consequent stiffness, rendering the remedy equally injurious with the original defect.
In all lamenesses occasioned by a relaxation of the TENDONS, blistering, and even firing, are admitted to have a forcible effect, provided they are brought into use at a PROPER time; but not before the inflammation (which is generally attendant upon such case) has previously subdued. In all ligamentary injuries, BLISTERING is seldom, if ever, known to be productive of permanent advantage; and is, perhaps, upon most occasions, so immediately adopted, because a single application is of so much less personal trouble, than a daily persevering hour bestowed in hot FOMENTATIONS, and stimulative EMBROCATIONS. Upon the subject of lameness in general, it is necessary to remark, that injuries sustained in the tendons (commonly called the back sinews) are more frequently relieved, and a lasting cure obtained, than in a lameness of the joints; where, after patient and persevering medical applications, and a corresponding portion of REST, a renewal of work has almost immediately produced a relapse.
LAMPAS
,—called also LAMPERS, and LAMPARDS, is a spongey elastic enlargement of the roof of a young horse's mouth, just behind the nippers of his upper jaw, which frequently acquires such a luxuriance in growth, as to be equal with, or to exceed, the surface of the teeth, and is supposed to occasion pain to such horses in the mastication of their corn. Different opinions have been entertained, and are still supported, upon this subject; some considering it only a temporary operation of NATURE during the formation of the TEETH, which would contract, and disappear, upon their attaining their full and proper growth; whilst others, less comprehensive in their conceptions, less scientific in their reasoning, and more hasty in their decisions, maintain the necessity of radical extermination, and that too by a process no less severe than the red-hot iron, or burning cautery. The most critical examination of the case (whenever it occurs) does not seem to justify the necessity for, or the cruelty of, such operation: various are the means which may be brought into use for the most perfect completion of the purpose, without resorting to such as bear the traits of former barbarity, when the times were less enlightened, and the system of FARRIERY less improved.
Admitting the part to have acquired its prominence, or preternatural distension, (a mere elastic, spongey puffiness,) by a slight inflammation originally, and a proportional propulsion of blood to the finer vessels surrounding that particular spot, it follows, of course, that extracting from those vessels the contents with which they are overloaded, and compulsively distended, will lay the foundation of contraction, which, followed by proper constringents, will constitute a perfect obliteration, to the PRUDENT and HUMANE exclusion of a practice not more replete with cruelty during the operation, than with danger in its consequence. Whenever the LAMPAS are found so protuberant, as to justify an opinion, or produce a proof, that they occasion pain in mastication, it is then time enough, to pass the point or edge of a sharp penknife, or lancet, transversely, and longitudinally, over the puffy and prominent part, so as to let it BLEED in that state for a few minutes; then let it be washed with a solution of ALUM in water, and no farther inconvenience need be feared from a molehill, which the illiterate have long since magnified to a MOUNTAIN, without the least rational plea for its foundation.