CHAPTER VIII. 



DISEASES AND INJURIES OF MUSCLES, TENDONS, AND 

 LIGAMENTS. 



SPRAINS. 



397. Sprains are injuries due to excessive exertion. They 

 affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments, the fibers of which are 

 stretched or torn, causing inflammation, 

 sometimes followed by contraction and, 

 in muscles, atrophy (wasting away). 



398. Sprains of the muscles. Mus- 

 cle sprains occur in various parts of the 

 trunk and limbs, and are due to slips or 

 falls. When sprained, the muscle be- 

 comes swollen, hot, and painful and loses 

 its power of contraction. Later, it some- 

 times atrophies. Owing to the loss of 

 function, the condition resembles paral- 

 ysis, but in paralysis there is no heat, 

 pain, or swelling. 



399. Sprains of the flexor tendons 

 (fig. 45). The tendons at the back of the 

 cannon are frequently injured, especially 

 those of the fore legs. 



Causes. Long toes and low heels; vio- 

 lent efforts and sudden checks, as in j ump- 

 ing; and long-continued exertion in 

 which the muscles tire, thereby increas- 

 ing the strain on the tendons. 



Symptoms. Lameness, corresponding 

 in decree with the severity of the injury; swelling, usually most promi- 

 nent at the middle third of the cannon ; heat and sensitiveness to touch . 

 Treatment. See paragraph 407. 

 400. Sprain of the suspensory ligament. 

 Causes. Sudden violent efforts and long-continued exertion. 

 Symptoms. Lameness. Heat, pain, and swelling in the region 

 between the cannon bone and the tendon of the deep flexor of the 



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FIG. 45. Sprained tendons. 



