DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 823 



M. Defay, a French veterinarian, has discovered a preparation which he recommends 

 for sand-cracks or fractured hoofs, and which he claims forms a hard and durable cement. 

 The precaution necessary for its successful application,* is to carefully remove all traces of 

 grease in the crack and about the edges, with spirits of sal ammoniac, sulphide of carbon, 

 or ether. As we have never tested its merits, we are not able to express an opinion as to 

 its utility for this purpose. The recipe for the cement is as follows: Take one part of 

 coarsely-powdered gum ammoniacum, and two parts of gutta-percha, in pieces the size of 

 a hazelnut. Put them in a tin lined vessel, over a slow fire, and stir constantly until 

 thoroughly mixed. Before the thick, resinous mass gets thoroughly cold, mould it into 

 sticks like sealing-wax. The cement will keep for years, and, when required for use, it is 

 only necessary to cut off a sufficient quantity, and remelt it immediately before application. 



Scratches. (See GREASE.) 

 Sore Shoulder. (See GALLS.) 

 Spavin. (See BONE SPAVIN.) 



Splent or Splint. This is a bony growth, generally located upon the inside of the 

 fore-leg of the horse, a little below the knee-joint. It is usually caused by overworking a 

 young horse. The treatment recommended is the same as that for BONE SPAVIN (which 

 see). 



Staggers. (See MEGRIMS.) 

 Strangles. (See DISTEMPER.) 



Strains or Sprains. The wrenching or torsion of the muscles or tendons will gen 

 erally be succeeded by pain, lameness, and swelling. Stonehenge thus defines strains of this 

 nature: &quot; Muscular strains consist of an absolute tearing of the fibrous tissue composing 

 the muscles; or else of such an approach to a disruption as to have an equally prejudicial 

 effect in producing lameness. In some cases the whole of a small bundle of fibers is torn 

 across; but this is not the usual degree in which strains occur, and the most common amount 

 of mischief is only a slight separation of a few of the very small fibers of which the bundle is 

 composed; and this state is then generally spread over a considerable surface, producing 

 considerable soreness from inflammation. Tendinous and ligamentous strains are very simi 

 lar in their nature, and consist either in an absolute tearing apart of these fibers, or such an 

 approach to this as to cause great inflammation, and consequent incapacity for using them. 

 Sometimes what is supposed to be a strain of the tendon is really an inflammation in its 

 sheath, which causes great swelling and pain, and the limb is thereby rendered quite useless 

 for the time being.&quot; 



Bathing the parts in tincture of arnica is one of the best remedies for injuries of this 

 nature. Where the skin is not broken, hot fomentations of vinegar and water applied with 

 flannel bandages, and renewed every ten or fifteen minutes until the inflammation is reduced, 

 is an excellent remedy, and considered by many the best possible treatment. Where there 

 is much acute inflammation and swelling, linseed or carrot poultices will prove beneficial. 

 The bandages should also be kept tight in such cases. 



Stringhalt. This is an involuntary action or contraction of the muscles which causes 

 one or both of the hind -legs to be raised higher in walking than is natural. It may b.e 

 regarded as unsoundness, and greatly injures the appearance of the animal, but does not 

 much interfere with his service. It is incurable. 



Tetanus (Lockjaw). This is one of the most painful and fatal diseases to which a 

 horse is subject. It generally proves fatal, and when recovery does take place it is usually 

 very slow, and extends over several months. The disease derives its name from the fact 

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