ON LAMENESS. 93 

 But if the complaint has been of long du- 

 ration, so as to have become callous, repeated 

 blisters will be necessary. 



RUPTURE of the SUSPENSOR LIGAMENTS 

 of the LEG, 



This may happen to either the fore or hind 

 leg. It is generally and improperly supposed 

 to constitute a rupture of the tendon or back si- 

 news. When the suspensor ligaments are rup- 

 tured, the fetlock joint is incapable of preserv- 

 ing its natural oblique position, on which ac- 

 count it becomes so horizontal as nearly to 

 touch the ground. But as the flexor muscles 

 still possess the power of bending the leg (which 

 they could not do if the tendons were ruptured) 

 it is manifest that the ligaments, whose office it 

 is to maintain the proper posiuon and connexion 

 of the shank and pastern bones, are alone the 

 parts aftected. A perfect recovery is seldom 



obtained. 



