SPRAIN OR STRAIN 297 



here and there, and not in any particular line or order. In these cases 

 the action is at first stilty, or, as it is sometimes expressed, "proppy", and 

 sooner or later there is a disposition to "knuckle over" at the fetlocks 

 in the animal's attempt to take the weight off the injured tendons and 

 throw it forward more immediately on to the bony columns. 



Treatment. — The means advised for sprains of the suspensory and 

 check ligaments are suitable for injuries to the back tendons, as the per- 

 forans and perforatus are called. 



SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK-JOINT 



By a sprained fetlock-joint is generally understood a stretching or 

 rupture of some or all of the ligaments which unite the bones, but a 

 not infi-equent result or concomitant of such strain is inflammation of the 

 capsular ligament and the synovial membrane which lines its interior. 

 These injuries are perhaps in the majority of cases incurred by slipping 

 when travelling over smooth surfaces, by treading on rolling stones or in 

 rabbit holes, by ftilse steps, in jumping, or in the case of draught-horses 

 in starting heavy loads. 



More or less heat, pain, and swelling in the joint, with a corresponding 

 degree of lameness, will usually direct our attention to the structures 

 involved. In very slight cases no perceptible change may be at once 

 ob.served in the part, but a little passive movement of the joint in the 

 direction of ilexion and extension, if applied with moderate force, will have 

 the effect of locating the injury. Where the joint itself is concerned the 

 swelling will present here and there an elastic fluctuating character indi- 

 cating the presence of an excess of fluid in the articular capsule. 



Treatment. — The frequent application of evaporating lotions over the 

 seat of injury, combined with rest and an aloetic purge, will usually suflice 

 in mild cases. In the more severe strains, inducing acute inflammation 

 of the structures of the joint, with its attendant pain and enlargement, 

 hot fomentations should be promptly and freely applied until the inflam- 

 matory symptoms subside. After each fomentation flannel bandages should 

 be placed upon the joint and repeatedly wrung out in hot water. 



Absolute rest and quiet is imperative in this form of injury, and, when 

 necessary, advantage should be taken of slinging in order to enable the 

 patient to relieve the injured part of weight. A jieriod of cold-water 

 irrigation, and then blistering or firing, or both, conjoined with a long 

 rest in a soft damp meadow, will reduce existing enlargement, and, if 

 practicable, complete the cure. 



