338 CHAPTER 44. 



cussion, which would otherwise arise from rapid violent motion. It is 

 very liable to suffer from sprains arising from such causes ; but more 

 especially in race horses, whose feet in galloping come to the ground with 

 great violence, and also in hunters on landing over fences. 



This ligament may be strained in any part. After its division the 

 inner, for obvious reasons, is more often strained than the outer branch. 

 For symptoms of strain of the ligament, see paragraph 684. For. special 

 treatment of severe strains of the ligament, see paragraph 687, sentence 

 10. 



679. Duties of Extensor Tendons. 



The Extensor tendons (E) are seldom sprained, because their functions 

 in progression are only secondary. They merely straighten and bring 

 forward the leg, after it has been raised by the action of the flexors. 



In the fore leg, we may mention that the Flexors are situated at the 

 back, and the Extensors are in the front of the leg ; but in the hind leg 

 there is one Flexor and one Extensor in front, whilst there are two 

 Flexors, one of which is accessory, at the back. 



680. Symptoms indicating a sprain, How to ascertain its seat. 



We now suppose the reader to have found out by means of the rules 

 given in the last Chapter but one, that the seat of lameness is some- 

 where in the tendons or ligaments of the fore-leg. We shall endeavour 

 to give the signs, by which the. exact position of the sprain may be 

 ascertained. 



The slightest sprain produces some lesion, however minute, and this 

 of necessity causes inflammation, needed indeed to repair the injury. 

 We have, therefore, as a consequence, heat, tenderness, effusion, and 

 lameness. The greater the injury, the greater are these symptoms. On 

 the other hand, the lesion, though sufficient to cause pain and therefore 

 lameness, may be very slight ; or it may be deep seated, and the external 

 appearances, though the injury be severe, may still be very slight. 

 Again, in some, and especially in deep-seated sprains, the visible sym- 

 ptoms, on account of the part being closely bound down by other tendons 

 and ligaments, may not appear exactly over the seat of the injury. 



681. Distinction in symptoms between sprains of the Flexor Tendons, and 

 sprains of the Metacarpal and superior Sesamoideal Ligaments. 



Injury to either of the Flexor tendons is indicated, when the horse is 

 in motion, by want of proper flexion of the knee. There is inability to 

 flex and raise the leg, and consequently a tendency to drag the toe on the 

 ground. But when standing still the horse keeps the knee slightly bent, 

 so as to relax the tendons. In this position, he throws as little weight as 

 possible on the injured part. 



On the other hand, in sprains of either the Metacarpal or of the 

 superior Sesamoideal ligament, the leg is raised freely enough, because 

 the tendons, which perform that duty, are not affected; but pain and 



