SPRAINS OF TEXDOXS AXD LIGA^rKNTS OF THE FORE- LEG. oo9 



flincliiiKj are shown, ulwii the foot coine-i to the ground, because tlien the 

 weight comes suddenly on the injured Ii(/ament. 



682. Sprains of the Flexor Tendons. 



Assuming that the symptoms indicate that the seat of hiuieness is in 

 the Flexor tendons, we must apply further tests to ascertain its exact 

 seat. 



There are, as the reader is aware, two Flexor tendons, one called the 

 Perforatus, the other called the Perforans. Both originate from the 

 muscles at the back of the leg ; but the Perforans terminates at and is 

 inserted into the coronet bone, whilst the Perforans passing through the 

 Perforatus is continued down, and inserted into the inferior part of the 

 coffin bone. Of these two tendons the perforatus is the rearmost and 

 the i>erforans is the anterior. 



Injury to the Perforatus (A, Plate -7) is indicated by a swelling or 

 curve at the back of the leg, because it Iie8 rearmost and therefore any 

 swelling arising from inflammatory action tinds room for expansion pos- 

 teriorly. Injury to the Perforans (B) on the other hand is indicated by 

 swelling on the sides, because, on account of the perforatus tendon in its 

 rear, it cannot so easily swell posteriorly. In most cases, however, we 

 generally find both tendons are implicated. 



Severe injuries of either of these tendons are easily seen and felt ; but 

 iu slight cases, although some lameness may be apparent, there is often 

 need of careful and delicate manipulation in order to detect tlie seat of 

 iujuiy. 



Injuries are most easily detected by manipulation, either when the leg 

 is held up and bent back, because in that position the tendons are re- 

 laxed and easily got between the liugers and felt : or else by picking up 

 the other leg, when, the animal being compelled to stand on the injured 

 leg, the tendons will be braced up, and any inequality in them will be 

 more readily felt. 



When the sound leg is released, it will be noticed that the horse will 

 take the weight off the injured leg as soon as possible. 



In either case, pain will be evinced, when pressure is brought to bear 

 on the seat of injuiy. 



683. Sj^rain of Metacarpal ligament. 



The symptoms, which distinguish lameness arising from injury of the 

 Metacarpal ligament, in contra-distinction to that caused by sprain of the 

 Flexor tendons, were described in the latter part of the last paragraph 

 but one. 



The external signs, however, are not very perceptible. As this liga- 

 ment (C) lies in front of the Flexor tendons, there is rarely any external 

 swelling, except, and then only to a slight degree, lateral hj, —aixd there 

 is but little perceptible heat. 



Any injuiy to it, though not veiy visible to the eye, may, however, be 

 detected in another way. As the material effused by the process of 



