LACERATED TENDONS. 351 



toe is correspondingly elevated, with a tendency to turn up — a form 

 of breaking down which was described when speaking of the fracture 

 of the sesamoids. Carrying weight is done only with considerable 

 difficulty, but with comparatively little pain, and the animal will 

 Linconsciously continue to move the leg as if in great suffering, not- 

 withstanding the fact that his general condition may be very good 

 and his appetite unimpaired. 



The effect upon the general organism of compound lacerated 

 wounds of tendinous structures, or thos*e which are associated w^ith 

 injuries of the skin, are different. The wound becomes in a short time 

 the seat of a high degree of inflammation with abundant suppuration, 

 filling it from the bottom; and the tendon, whether as the result of 

 the bruise or of the laceration, or of maceration in the accmnulated 

 pus, undergoes a process of softening, and necrosis and sloughing 

 ensue. This complicates the case, and probably some form of tendi- 

 nous synovitis follows, running into suppurative arthritis, to end, if 

 close to a joint, with a fatal result. 



Prognosis. — The prognosis of lacerated tendons should be very con- 

 servative. Under the most favorable circumstances a period of from 

 six weeks to two months will be necessary for the treatment, before 

 the formation of the cicatricial callus and the establishment of a firm 

 union between the tendinous stumps. 



Treatment. — As with fractures, and even in a greater degree, the 

 necessity is imperative, in the treatment of lacerated tendons, to se- 

 cure as perfect a state of immobility as can be obtained compatibly 

 with the disposition of the j^atient; the natural opposition of the 

 animal, sometimes ill-tempered and fractious at best, under the neces- 

 sary restraint, causing at times much embarrassment to the practi- 

 tioner in applying the necessary treatment. Without the necessary 

 immobility no close connection of the ends of the tendons can be 

 secured. To fulfill this necessary condition the posterior part of the 

 foot and the fetlock must be supported and the traction performed 

 by them relieved, an object which can be obtained by the use of the 

 high-heeled and bar shoe, or possibly better accomplished with a 

 shoe of the same kind extending about 2 or 2^ inches back of the 

 heels. The perfect immobility of the legs is obtained in the same way 

 as in the treatment of fracture, with splints, bandages, iron appa- 

 ratus, plaster of adhesive mixtures, and similar means. So long as 

 the dressings remain in j^lace undisturbed, and no chafing or other 

 evidence of pain is present, the dressings may be continued without 

 changing, the patient being kept in the slings for a period sufficient to 

 insure the perfect union of the tendons. But for a compound lesion, 

 when there is laceration of the skin, some special care is necessary. 

 The wound must be carefully watched and the dressings removed 

 at intervals of a few days, or as often as may be needful, all of which 



