64 TREATMENT OF DISEASES 



fined to the muscular fibres, but aifected the blood-vessels, which 

 appeared to be constricted; and the cellular membrane had almost 

 entirely disappeared, merely by condensation and contraction of the 

 skin over the region of the parts ; which contraction usually ocours 

 in consequence of shrinking of muscles beneath. 



In conformity with the opinions of our veterinary authorities, I 

 have hitherto in most cases considered sweeney as a symptomatic 

 affection, from the fact that I have had to treat a number of cases 

 similar to the following: 



A celebrated and valuable trotting horse, known as " Rocky," 

 owned by a party in Cincinnati, became lame. The animal was 

 treated for shrinking of the muscles of the shoulder blades, by 

 setons, lotions, &c., and a long run at grass. The treatment ex- 

 tended over one year. The animal was finally purchased by Messrs. 

 Mathews and McGibboney of Chicago. On arrival of the animal I 

 examined him and found that the sweeney was occasioned by con- 

 traction of the hoofs. I recomitiended a different course of treat- 

 ment. The feet received special attention; and now the owners 

 inform me that they have been offered a large sum for him. 



In May, 1861, I was requested to see a gray gelding, aged eight 

 years, which had recently been purchased as sound, &c. Shortly 

 after purchase it was discovered that the animal went lame. ItAvas 

 noticed that the muscles known as anterior and posterior spinati (in 

 the region of the shoulder blade), were wasted, and it was evident 

 that the animal had been treated for sweeney from the fact that the 

 marks remained where setons had been introduced. 



On making an examination of the foot, on the affected side, I 

 found enlargement of the lateral cartilages of the coffin bone; the 

 lateral cartilages had undergone transformation, and had changed 

 into bone. In the region of the foot, then, was the seat of lameness, 

 and the poor brute had been tortured in the usual manner about the 

 shoulder for the expectant cure of that which only constituted a 

 symptom of organic disease of the coffin bone. 



The altered structure and enlargement in the vicinity of the foot 

 had been entirely overlooked, and it is probable, as my employer 

 had only been in possession of the horse a short time, that the crea- 

 ture must have been unsound at the time of purchase. 



The wasting of the muscles of the shoulders, is to be accounted 

 for in these two cases as follows : 



It is a well known fact, that inaction of a muscle induces a de- 

 crease in its size. The muscles of laboring men decrease in size 

 whenever, from choice or necessity, the individual leads a sedentary 

 life. A limb kept at rest for any great length of time, always un- 

 dergoes more or less atrophy (wasting.) In these cases the foot 

 diseases were of such a character as to cause the subjects much pain 

 in progression ; in order to relieve the feet they spared their mus- 

 cles, which want of free and full action led to dimiijished nutrition 

 and wasting — atrophy. Some of our readers must have noticed the 

 fact of the shrinkage of the muscles of the haunch in case of disease 

 or severe lameness of one of the hind feet. This shrinkage often 

 occurs, as in the case of the shoulder, from want of natural action 

 and full play of the muscles concerned. We have ample proof 

 that the wasting is the result of want of action, in the fact, that 



