SPKA1NS OF TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS Oi 1 THE HIND LEG. 349 



hock, when the limb is in a state of rest; which, however, disappears 

 when the hock is flexed. 



705. Treatment. 



The best treatment is to leave it alone. It generally produces no 

 serious effect ; but it is unsightly and difficult 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 pressure, which would be 

 very beneficial, is difficult to apply to the part. 



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

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

 kicking. 



Cases of rupture of the lateral attachments of the perforatus tendon at 

 the apex of the hock, must be treated as recommended for sprains. 



In very rare cases, the horse by violent kicking may injure the point 

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

 useless. 



706. Sprain of the ligaments 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 upper end, where the femur articulates 

 with the acetabulum, there is no external sign, for the parts are deep- 

 seated ; and the existence of a sprain can only be surmised 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, 

 llest, however, in this, as in other cases, is the yreat essential. 



707. tiprain of the ligaments 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 properly. The treatment is 

 that usual for sprains. 



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

 on the pastern bone, by the hock being straightened, arid by inability to 

 advance the leg. If any attempt is made to compel the animal to do so, 

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

 and not to the inner side. 



Dislocation is most apt to occur in young horses, whose tendons and 

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

 occasioned by undue uprightness of the femur, on account of which the 

 patella slips over the outer condyle of the femur. 



