SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK IOI 



leg. It is a complaint common to old, over- worked 

 horses. Neither the fetlock or pastern joints are 

 simply implicated in this complaint, although both are 

 connected with it. 



CAUSE. Working the animal beyond his strength 

 is usually the sole cause of this complaint. It is for 

 the most part a want of power in the ligaments of this 

 joint generally occasioned by frequent and severe 

 sprains, brought on by cruel and oppressive treatment, 

 in forcing the animal to pull more than his physical 

 energies can accomplish without a desperate effort. 



REMEDIES. It seldom happens that an effectual 

 remedy can be found for this complaint, because it is 

 generally accompanied by inflammation of the synovial 

 membrane and ulcerated disease of the bones within 

 the joints. 



SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK. 



The fetlock-joint is peculiarly liable to injuries, from 

 its being the principal situation of action below the 

 knee. In sprains of the back sinew, accompanied by 

 inflammation, which is usually the case, inflammation 

 is often induced in this also. And many of the 

 sprains which are supposed to belong to higher 

 portions of the limbs are, in fact, affections of this 

 joint. 



SYMPTOMS. It is no easy matter to distinguish 

 affections of the fetlock from those situate in the 

 superior portions of the limb. Pressure by the finger 

 on the part, and heat, are the surest tests for finding 

 out the seat of this complaint, but in some cases 

 flexion and extension of the fetlock joint, with pres- 

 sure of the thumb over the back tendons, will elicit 

 more pain than by any other method. 



TREATMENT. Strong blisters applied with prompti- 



