344 CHAPTER 44. 



its astringent properties. But as a stimulant, it is very inferior to an 

 ordinary blister. 



We suspect, that, in. all such wonderful cases of reputed cure, the sym- 

 ptoms have been mistaken, and that a swelling caused perhaps by the 

 rupture of a few minute blood-vessels and extravasation of 1>1 ood under 

 the skin, or by an ordinary blow produced by striking one leg against 

 the other, has been mistaken, as it easily may be in the early stage, for 

 inflammation caused by a real sprain. In most of such cases, we are 

 inclined to think that a cold water application would have answered 

 equally well. 



691. Sprains of the Fetlock Joint. 



The Fetlock joint is occasionally sprained from injury done to its 

 ligamentous and tendinous connections. There is no special sign in the 

 lameness resulting from the injury ; but the part feels hot and tender. 

 There is very little, if any, swelling. The treatment required is that 

 usual for sprains. 



Repeated sprains, after a time, will cause the tendons and ligaments 

 about the joint to become hard and cartilaginous, and to feel almost like 

 bone. Knuckling over behind and standing over in front are generally 

 caused by sprains of these ligaments and tendons. 



692. Injuries of Sheaths of tendons and ligaments. 



The synovial Sheaths, which enclose all tendons and certain ligaments 

 are subject to injury from the same causes as their tendons and ligaments. 

 But inasmuch as they are less strong, they are more frequently injured. 

 The injury, however, is not very serious, because the Sheath's are not 

 themselves concerned in bearing weight. They are not the ropes, to 

 revert to the expression used in the early part of this chapter, but merely 

 the cases in which the ropes work. Again the Sheaths, which are all 

 secreting organs, are more vascular than the dense, firm, fibrous tendons 

 and ligaments which they enclose, and therefore they possess more vital- 

 ity and more easily repair themselves when injured. 



The signs of injury and the mode of detecting the exact seat are the 

 same as those laid down above in regard to tendons and ligaments. 



693. To distinguish between sprain of a Sheath of a tendon or ligament, and 

 sprain of the Tendon or Ligament itself. 



The distinction is marked. The swelling is more puffy and diffused 

 than that which accompanies sprain of a tendon or ligament. On the 

 application of pressure to the swelling the tendon or ligament may be 

 felt through it. If the tendon or ligament is of normal size, we may 

 conclude that the injury is confined to the sheath. Again in injuries of 

 sheaths, the horse, though he will be lame at first, will go less tender after 

 a little exercise ; whilst in sprains of tendons and ligaments, the lameness 

 will increase. 



