DISEASES OF MUSCLE, ETC. 469 
cation of splints, without slinging, as they will take care to avoid resting 
on that foot in consequence of the pain it gives; but under the cara of 
an accomplished veterinary surgeon slings will afford the best chance of 
recovery. 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
INJURY AND DISEASES OF THE JOINTS, MUSCLES, AND TENDONS. 
DISEASES OF MUSCLE, TENDON, AND LIGAMENT—OF CARTILAGE AND SYNOVIAL MEM- 
BRANE—INFLAMED TENDINOUS SHEATHS —INFLAMED BURSA MUCOSH—STRAINS— 
THOSE OF THE BACK AND LOINS—OF THE SHOULDER—OF THE KNEE—OF THE 
FETLOCK—OF THE COFFIN JOINT—OF THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENTS—OF THE BACK- 
SINEWS—BREAKING DOWN—STRAINS OF THE HIP JOINT, STIFLE, AND HOCK—CURB— 
DISLOCATION-—WOUNDS OF JOINTS, 
DISEASES OF MUSCLE, TENDON, AND LIGAMENT. 
Muscie is subject to simple atrophy, with or without fatty degenera- 
tion. The disease shows itself by a wasting away of the part, accom- 
panied by a flabby feel to the touch. It should be ¢reated by friction, 
gentle but regular work, and steel given internally, one drachm of the 
sulphate of iron powdered being mixed with the corn twice a day. 
RHEUMATIC INFLAMMATION of a muscle or muscles is one of the most 
common of all the diseases to which the horse is subject. Most frequently 
it attacks the muscles of the shoulder, or of the loins, sometimes both 
those parts being involved at the same time. When acute it receives the 
name of a chill, and is generally brought on by exposing the horse to a 
draught of air after work, or by immersing him in cold water up to his 
belly, with a view either to refresh him, or when the groom is lazy, to 
save him the trouble of cleaning. Zhe symptoms are lameness or inability 
to use the part, the horse, when forced to do so, giving expressions of severe 
pain. If the shoulder is affected, the foot is not put to the ground, and 
when the leg is moved backwards and forwards by the hand, great pain is 
evidently experienced. In severe cases there is fever with accelerated 
pulse (70 to 80), accompanied often by profuse sweating, and heaving at 
the flanks, the legs remaining warm. After a short time the part swells, 
and is excessively tender.—The treatment should be by a copious bleeding, 
if the horse is of a moderately strong constitution ; indeed, in severe cases 
it should be carried on till the pulse is greatly reduced, and repeated the 
next day, if it returns to its original hardness and fulness. The 
bowels should be acted on as soon as it is safe to do so, and if the dung is 
very hard, backraking and clysters should be used, to accelerate the 
action of the medicine. The best aperient is castor oil, of which a pint 
may be given with an ounce of sweet spirits of nitre. When this has 
acted, if the kidneys are not doing their duty, a quarter of an ounce of 
nitre and a drachm of camphor may be made into a ball and given twice 
a day. 
ces RHEUMATISM of the muscles is similar in its nature to the acute 
form, but, as its name implies, it is more lasting, and of less severity. It 
often flies from one part to another, attacking the ligaments and tendons, 
as weli as the muscular fitres. It is seldom much under control, and 
HHZ 
