9 



RUPTUEE OF THE SUSPEXSORY LIGAMENTS. 233 



wash the part with cokl water, one quart, and tincture of 

 arnica, two ounces, mixed. Then wrap the leg with a flannel 

 bandage, and keep this wet with the solution of water and 

 arnica. It will have to be wet every three or four hours. 

 This is to be continued until the inflammation is reduced, or 

 the patient cured. If the case is not seen until a chronic en- 

 largement has taken place, or if any swelling remain after 

 the inflammation is reduced, apply the liquid blister over 

 the swelling at the back of the leg, but not around in front of 

 it. Grease the heel with lard to prevent it from becoming 

 blistered. If the first blister does not reduce the swelling, on 

 the third day grease the part, and the next day wash with 

 castile-soap ; dry, and blister again. 



KUPTURE OF THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENTS. 



The suspensor}^ ligaments rise from the back part of the 

 head of the shank-bone and the heads of the two splint-bones, 

 and pass down between them to be inserted into the. two sesa- 

 moid bones, Avhich lie at the back of the pastern-joint. The 

 ligaments are elastic, in which they differ from other liga- 

 ments, and which renders them very serviceable in assisting 

 to prevent concussion, or jar. These ligaments are sometimes 

 ruptured or broken, which leaves the two sesamoid bones at 

 the back of the fetlock-joint without their proper support, and 

 henca this joint fjills much lower when the weight of the ani- 

 mal comes on it than it should. 



Sf/mjjtoms. — Rupture of the suspensory ligaments is very 

 easily detected. The fetlock is let down so low that it nearly 

 touches the ground, though the horse is still able to bend 

 the joint ; and this plainly indicates that it is not the tendon 

 at the back of the leg that is ruj^tured. The early stage of 

 the injury is, of course, attended with some inflammation in 

 the point of injury, but which, after awhile, passes away, leav- 

 ing a case of permanent lameness and unsoundness, which 

 admits of no benefit from treatment. 



