SPEAINS. 211 



sprain, but the usual or more common sprains will be 

 found in the pastern or fetlock joint, shoulder and its joint, 

 hock, stifle, back and loins, flexor tendon, suspensory 

 ligaments, etc., produced by a common cause, such as slip- 

 ping, filling, overwork, the weight of the body, and not 

 unfrequently the load falling upon a part, when not in its 

 proper position for receiving it. 



Symptoms. Pain, heat, swelling, tenderness and lameness, 

 more or less severe, depending on the severity of the sprain, 

 and the part affected. In severe sprains, care must be 

 taken to guard against mistakes, and to form a correct 

 judgment of the nature of the injury, whether it be a 

 real or simple sprain, or whether there be fracture or dis- 

 location. 



Treatment. Absolute and entire rest, is the principal 

 point to, be attended to in the cure of sprains, for a sprain 

 •cannot be cured without rest, no matter what other reme- 

 dies are employed; and, if there be much fever and 

 excitement about the horse, a few doses of aconite will 

 have to be given. Tincture of aconite root, fifteen drops, 

 given three times in the day for two days, will remove 

 fever and irritation. Then apply warm water cloths for 

 three days, followed by cold water cloths for the same 

 length of time, taking the cloths off at night, as it is 

 necessary that water must be poured on the cloths every 

 hour, or before the warm ones become cold, and the cold 

 ones become warm. After which, the lameness and 

 swelling will have ceased ; or should this not be the case, 

 apply for a few days, once a day, the following liniment : 

 Creosote, one ounce ; oil of turpentine, one ounce ; oil of 

 olives, two ounces ; mix. Be assured the horse is quite 

 well before he is put to work again, as many joint diseases 

 are brought on. by mismanaged sprains, which never can 



