loo THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



by the sharp outer edge of the inner branch of the shoe we usually have 

 a small incised wound, and the extent of the injury in these cases 

 depends upon the situation of the wound. If it is well forward the 

 sheath of the tendon of the extensor metacarpi obliquus muscle is 

 occasionally slit open, and inflammation is set up. At times the wound 

 is farther back, and we have a considerable amount of haemorrhage. In 

 these cases either the internal metacarpal vein or the small metacarpal 

 artery, or both, have been damaged, since these, as has already been 

 stated, pass superficially down the inner aspect of the knee outside the 

 carpal arch. When the cut is inflicted just below the head of the inner 

 small metacarpal bone, again, we have haemorrhage from the internal 

 dorsal interosseous artery, which winds round the bone just here to 

 descend along the groove between this bone and the large metacarpal. 

 Occasionally we have abscess formation at the seat of the injury. 



The affection may be associated with a variety of contributory causes. 

 A debilitated condition of the animal is a very common cause. It may also 

 be due to defective conformation. Animals with narrow chests are very 

 liable. In animals which turn the toes inwardly the injury is frequently 

 caused by the toe or quarter of the shoe of the opposite foot, whereas 

 the inside of the heel causes it in animals which turn the toes outwardly 

 Outward " dishing " is not likely to lead to speedy cutting, but serious 

 cases are frequently met with in animals which " dish " inwardly. 



Speedy cutting may also be due to defective shoeing when the inner 

 branch of the shoe of the opposite foot is too wide and projects to too 

 great an extent beyond the hoof 



In treating this affection, should the bruise not be serious and the 

 animal but slightly lame, rest and fomentations, or the application of hot 

 water bandages, will generally bring about recovery in two or three days. 

 Should there be a severe bruise and a considerable amount of exudation 

 the animal goes very lame, and may even refuse to use the limb. The 

 small area of necrosed tissue which is commonly present frequently 

 sloughs away. In cases of abscess formation the swelling will " point " 



