468 Journal of Ao^nciiUurc. [8 August, 1907. 



LAMENESS IN HORSES. 



{Continued from page 426.) 

 6". .5. Cameron, M .R .C .V .S.. CJ/ief Veterinary Offixer. 



LAMENESS IN THE LOINS. 



Apart from the partial or total paralvsis of " broken back," which \\\\\ 

 1)6 described later on, and that of spinal congestion or " Kumree," a 

 disease especially prevalent in India, lameness in the loins may result from 

 either of the twO' following conditions : — 



I. Sprain of the Lumbar Muscles, principally the longissimus dorsi 

 muscle overlying the loin and constituting the " upper cut " in the sirloin 

 of beef. 



In these cases the animal may be able to- walk or trot in a straight line- 

 but it has great difificulty in turning round. In attempting the turning 

 movement the hind legs are thrown about in an awkward manner as if 

 imperfectly controlled, the hind quarters reel from side to side and the 

 animal may fall. There is also great difficulty in backing. 



II. Sprain of the Psose or Sub-lumbar Muscles. — These muscles are 

 situated on the underside of the loins and constitute the part known as the 

 " under cut " in a sirloin of beef. When sprained the condition is often 

 mistaken for broken back, but may be distinguished from it by the animal 

 being able to move his hind limbs backward and forward when lying down. 



Symptoms. — In severe sprain of these muscles the following symptoms 

 are shown: — When down the animal is unable to rise; but if raised by 

 means of slings he may stand moderately well and may be able to control 

 the movements of the limbs to some extent. When made to walk the horse 

 drags his limbs, the feet being but slightly raised, and there is a tendency 

 to knuckle over at the fetlocks and to drop the hind quarters at every step. 

 If the hand be passed into the rectum, heat and swelling will be felt under 

 the loins, which, in a few hours after the accident may extend to the 

 fundament. In some cases only one side is affected. 



Causes. — These sprains mav be incurred : — {a) during an operation 

 {e.g., castration) when the horse is struggling on the ground with the hind 

 limbs fixed, {h) During a supreme effort when pulling a heavy load, or 

 when jumping a fence from a boggy " take-off." {c) When the hind limbs 

 slip from under the horse backwards. 



Treatment. — As in the treatment of all sprains rest is a prime neces- 

 sity. In severe cases the horse should be encouraged to lie down and pre- 

 vented from rising. A cooling laxative drench should be given and, if there 

 is excessive local heat on internal examination, warm water enemas should 

 be injected three or four times a day. In less severe cases when the horse 

 can stand fairly well, slings may be put under him so that by their sup- 

 port he may get an occasional rest at will, but if he hangs in them con- 

 tinuously it is better that he should be allowed to go down. In all cases 

 only soft and laxative food should be given. After some weeks when the 

 acuteness of the sprain has been got over a blister, or " charge " of 

 Stockholm tar, may be applied over the loins and a lengthened spell at 

 grass allowed. 



HIP LAMENESS. 



As with shoulder lameness being popularly considered to be a common 

 condition of lameness "in front," so likewise lameness " behind" is often 



