352 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



additional manipulation and extra nursing, however indispensable, 

 still adds to the gravity of the case and renders the prognosis more 

 and more serious. When the tendons have sloughed in threads of 

 various dimensions, or if in the absence of this process of mortification 

 healthy granulations should form and fill uj) the wound, still very 

 careful attention will be required, the granulating ends of the tendons 

 having a tendency to bulge between the edges of the skin and to 

 assume large dimensions, forming bulky excrescences or growths of a 

 warty or cauliflower appearance, the removal of which becomes a 

 troublesome matter. 



The union of the tendons will at times leave a thickening of vary- 

 ing degree near the point of cicatrization, the absorption of which 

 becomes an object of difficult and doubtful accomplishment, but 

 which may be promoted by moderate blistering and the use of alter- 

 ative and absorbent mixtures or perhaps the fire iron. A shoe with 

 heels somewhat higher than usual will prove a comfort to the animal 

 and aid in moderating and relieving the tension of the tendons. 



RUPTURE OF THE FLEXOR METATARSI. 



This is a muscle of the anterior part of the shank. It is situated 

 in front of the tibia, and is of peculiar formation, being composed of 

 a muscular portion with a very powerful tendon, which are at first 

 divStinct and separate, to be intimately united lower down, and termi- 

 nating at the lower end by a division into four tendinous bands. It 

 is a powerful muscle of the hinder shank bone, and also acts as a 

 strong means of support for the stifle joint, that is, of the articulation 

 of the thigh and shank bone, in front and outside of which it passes. 

 Its situation and its use cause it to be liable to severe stretching 

 and straining, and a rupture of some of its fibers is sometimes the 

 consequence. 



Cause. — This injury may be the result of a violent eifort of the 

 animal in leaping over a high obstacle; in missing his foothold and 

 suddenly slipping backward while powerfully grasping the ground 

 with the feet in striving to start a heavily loaded vehicle; or in mak- 

 ing a violent effort to prevent a probable fall ; or in attempting to 

 lift the feet from miry ground. 



Symptoms. — The accident is immediately followed by disability 

 Avhich will vary according to the true seat of the injury and the 

 period of its duration. This rupture will not prevent the horse from 

 standing perfectly and firmly on his feet when kept at rest, and 

 while no muscular efforts are required from him there is no appear- 

 ance of any lesion or unsoundness. An attempt to move him back- 

 ward, however, will cause him to throw all his weight upon his hind 

 quarters, and he will refuse to raise his foot from the ground. If 

 compelled to do so, or required to move forward, the hock being no 

 longer capable of flexion, the muscle which effects that movement 



