47 



ness. But if it be improperly treated, the 

 swelling will never subside, nor will the sheath 

 recover its proper strength and tone, in which 

 case the lameness will perpetually recur after 

 a hard day's labour. Under these circumstances 

 a horse cannot be considered as sound; for 

 although he may be patched up for a sliort 

 time, yet no dependence can be placed upon 

 him ; hence he must be considerably reduced 

 in value. 



RUPTURE OF THE SUSPENSOR 

 LIGAMENTS OF THE LEG, com- 

 monlij called BREAKING DOWN OF 



THE BACK SINEWS. 



This complaint is erroneously supposed to 

 exist in the tendons. This, however, is not 

 the fact. The injury takes place in the liga- 

 ments which connect one part of the limb with 

 the other. When this disease occurs, the pas- 

 tern joint drops much lower towards the ground 

 than it does in its natural state ; and although 

 the muscles and tendons still retain their power 

 of acting, yet they will act to a considerable 

 disadvantage, on account of the pastern having 

 lost its proper position, as well as being deprived 

 of its chief support. 



In this state, blistering and firing are gene- 

 rally had recourse to, but ^vith little effect. 



