SPKAiNS of tendons and ligaments of the lllKD LEG. o49 



hock, when the limb is in a state of rest; — whieh. however, disfappears 

 when the hock is tlexed. 



7U5. Tnatnicnt. 



The best treatmeut is to leave it alone. It generally i>roduces no 

 serious effect ; but it is unsightly and diflicult to get rid of, both because 

 the causes which produce it are apt to recur, and also because active 

 treatment, such as blistering, creates an amount of irritation, which 

 increases the tendency to kick. Treatment by i)ressurc, which would bo 

 very beneficial, is difficult to apply to tho part. 



If it is desired to tiy active treatment, Biniodide of Mercury should be 

 employed instead of cantharides, as less liable to cause irritation and 

 kicking. 



Cases of nipture of the lateral attachmejits of the peri'oratus tendon at 

 the ajiex of the hock, must be treated as reconnuended for s]>rains. 



In very rare cases, the horse by violent kicking may injure the i)oint 

 of the bone, and caries may supervene, which will render the animal 

 useless. 



706. S2J>'i(tn of the liyaiiients of the Femur. 



Sprains of the ligaments of the Femur occur occasionally from any 

 sudden violent exertion or from slipping-up in the stable. 



When the injury occurs at the up})er end, Avhere the femur articulates 

 with the acetabulum, there is no external sign, for the parts are dee})- 

 seated ; and the existence of a sprain can only be suiiniscd by the animal 

 straddling and slightly dragging the leg. In such cases rest is the only 

 treatment, for no external topical remedies will reach the parts affected. 



At the other, or lower end the ligaments, which really appertain to the 

 femur, are seldom sprained. The external signs, when an injury does 

 occur, are heat, swelling, and tenderness in the part ; and the treatment 

 is the same as that which has been already recommended for sprains. 

 Rest, however, in this, as in other cases, is tlie (jrcat e^ncntiaL 



707. Sprain of the liganieiits of, and displacement of the Patella, 



Sprain of the ligaments, when the patella is not displaced, is indicated 

 by swelling and heat accompanied with tenderness. In action, the horse 

 carries his leg round instead of raising it i)ropcr]y. The Ireatment is 

 that usual for sprains. 



Displacement of the patella is indicated by the foot being flexed back 

 on the i^astern bone, by the hock being straightened, and by inability to 

 advance the leg. If any attem])t is made to comi)el the animrd to do so, 

 the pain Avill be excruciating. The displacement is generally to the outer, 

 and not to the inner side. 



Dislocation is most apt to occur in youjig horses, mIiosc tendons and 

 ligaments have not yet acquired their full strength. It is also sometimes 

 occasioned by undue uprightness of the fenuu', on account of which the 

 patella slips over the outer condyle of the femur. 



I 



