Journal of Agriculture. 



[8 April, 1907 



Causes similar to those giving rise to shoulder-slip may also result in 

 sprain of this muscle. Rheumatic localization, as a cause of lameness in 

 this region, is not uncommon. 



Symptoms. — These are generally the same as those of shoulder-slip, 

 except ib) and {d), but they are likelv to be more acute. The dragging 

 action is more marked, the local signs of pain, heat, and swelling are more 

 intense, the part is tender to the touch and greater pain and more pro- 

 nounced flinching are exhibited when the elbow and shoulder joints are 

 forcibly flexed. Wasting of the muscle does not usually occur, and 

 except there is the formation of a bony deposit in the substance of the 

 muscle permanent lameness or disability is yery rare. 



Treatment should be on the same lines as that recommended for 

 shoulder-slip; and, although the condition is at first apparently more 

 severe, better results follow the treatment more quickly. 



Shoulder Joint Injury. 



The shoulder joint is formed by the head of the arm bone {humerus) 

 fitting into the shallow cup-like cavity at the lower end of the blade bone 

 (scapula). It is seldom dislocated, but is liable, partly on account of 

 its prominence, to injuries sustained in the manner aboye described. The 

 edges of the joint bones may become bruised or inflamed or actually 

 chipped off, and the articular cartilage and capsular ligament of the 

 joint may also be injured. Rheumatic affections may become localized 

 in the joint, especially after injury in the case of old horses. 



Symptoms. — Apart from pain and local swelling, which latter, in the 

 case of ulceration of the articular cartilage or thickening of the capsular 

 ligament, depends upon distension of the joint Vv^ith joint oil (synovia), 

 and is very difficult to remove, the symptoms are principally those of 

 stiffness and pain in the joint — i.e., absence of much, movement. The 

 dragging action is exhibited ; in this case not so much on account of 

 muscular inability to bring the limb forward as that the movement in the 

 joint accompanying ad^■ancement causes pain. 



Treatment. — That recommended for the two previously described con- 

 ditions may also be followed in this case. It involves first of all the 

 reduction of the inflammation bv fomentations and rest, to be followed 

 by repeated blisterings to assist in completing the process of repair and 

 in the remoiyal by absorption of any excess of joint oil or other sw^elling. 



(Shoulder lameness may also occasionally arise from sprain of the 

 chest muscles {fectoralcs), or from fracture of the first rib.) 



(7> /;,;' continued.) 



