SPT^ATNS OF TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS OF THE FORE-LEG. 343 



tendons and ligaments, not merely the one which has been injured, hut 

 all are weak from want of exercise, and are therefore very susceptible of 

 injury. Six months after a severe sprain may be named, as the shortest 

 time at which the horse should again be put to strong exercise prepara- 

 tory to such work as hunting. If the animal is wanted only f(U- common 

 riding or harness, a less period will suffice. 



In '' calloused " legs, i. e. sprains, in which the extraneous matenal has 

 become hardened, great advantage will be derived from standing the 

 horse in a stream of running water, and where the opportunity to do so 

 occurs, advantage should always be taken of it. The new formation may 

 also be fui-ther condensed and strengthened by bandages wet with a 

 solution of Tidman's sea salt. 



The high-heeled shoe recommended above must not be removed sud- 

 denly ; but the artificial assistance so given to the tendon or ligament 

 should be gradually reduced until perhaps at the end of one or two 

 months, if the animal is sound, the ordinary shoe may be re-applied. At 

 the same time it must be remembered that the high-heeled shoe must not 

 be allowed to remain on too long, or a permanent shortening of the 

 tendons may be the result. 



When in the process of healing, a tendon or ligament has become short- 

 ened, it is ad\nsable to apply a shoe with a lengthened toe-piece with the 

 view of gradually counteracting the contraction by the increased stress 

 thereby thro^vn on the part each time the animal moves. A horse so 

 affected is, however, never likely to be worth much. 



Gentle driving in. double harness in a light four-wheeled carriage is, 

 perhaps the best sort of exercise to precede regular work after any sprain 

 of tendon or ligament. The danger to be apprehended from the use of a 

 two-wheeled vehicle is that the weight will be thrown on the fore-hand, 

 save in the case of Hansom cabs which are so slung as to hold up even a 

 horse that has practically no fore-legs. 



G89. Biniodide of Mercury. 



For slight strains, Biniodide of Mercury gives the best results. It is 

 useful in creating a moderate amount of serous effusion when applied 

 repeatedly ; and, if necessary, in increased strength. 



690. Ar7iica. 



Arnica is a useful application in very slight sprains, and also in many 

 cases which, are mistaken for sprains. 



It is said to have produced wonderful cures in a very short time, even 

 in cases of severe pain. It is difficult to see how the process of repair, 

 always tedious in parts of low organization, — such as tendons and liga- 

 ments, and which therefoi-e need the assistance of artificially excited 

 inflammation, can be rapidly effected by an agent, whose speciality is 

 the reduction of inflammation by virtue of its action as an astringent on 

 the muscular coats of the blood-vessels. Arnica, however, it may be 

 said, has a secondary action as a stimulant in some cases, by reason of 



