DISEASES OF DOMESTIC AMIMALS. 119 



tion is the result of disease of the tendon, but if it comes from some dis- 

 ease of the fetlock joint it would be useless. In performing tenotomy 

 apply cold water to tbe parts for a day or two, to reduce any inflammation 

 and get rid of the exudation. Cast the horse, take the limb from the 

 hobble, and make your incision inside of the limb, taking care not to 

 injure the artery. Some recommend introducing a scalpel first down 

 between the tendons and ligaments. The ordinary director does very 

 well, as well perhaps as the scalpel. First make the incision and then 

 use a tenotomy knife— the best is a probe-pointed bistouri, and it is best 

 to cut through both tendons, but sometimes cutting one will do— then 

 treat as a common wound. Sometimes the animal will stand with the 

 limb flexed, and it is in some cases necessary to apply a high-heeled shoe, 

 but in all cases bring the foot as near the natural condition as possible 

 before operating. 



The Sheath of the Tendon is injured, but it is trivial in comparison 

 with injuries to the fibres of the tendons. It may be done by striking 

 with the hind foot, or if in the hind leg by some other animal striking it. 

 You might at first think it was sprain of the tendon, but if it is well back, 

 there is swelling, and the animal is not so lame as in sprain. It is best 

 treated by hot or cold applications, refrigerant lotions, anodyne liniments, 

 etc., and you may find benefit from a blister ; when you are called make 

 a careful examination. The suspensory ligament is the great mainstay 

 of the limb, and very powerful, and one upon which there is great stress ; 

 sprain of this is common, and sometimes its fibres give way completely, 

 giving rise to what is called 



Break-down. — This is more serious than sprain of the back tendons 

 or metacarpal ligaments. In a case of this the fetlock descends and may 

 almost touch the ground, even if there is not much weight thrown upon 

 it. It is more common in race or hunting horses, and occurs in trotting 

 horses, but not often. It occurs to a certain extent in very heavy horses, 

 especially if weak limbed. 



Symptoms vary according to the extent of the injury. It is not gener- 

 ally in a perfectly healthy condition when the fibres give way completely, 

 but, in a majority of cases, there had been a slight sprain of the liga- 

 ments, showing a slight swelling anterior to the tendon, and a little 

 thickening of the tendon. The animal is laid off work and treated, and 

 again put to work, and the same thing occurs, treated the same, etc., and 

 when put to work there is complete breakdown. If there is complete 

 rupture of the two bifurcations, the fetlock descends ; if but one, then one 

 side descends more than the other. 



Treatment is the same as that already mentioned. Give a long rest, 

 and, unless rested a long time, he will not stand the same amount of 

 hard work as if rested a long time. If it is complete breakdown, the 

 limb will never regain its natural condition, but may be able to undergo 

 a considerable amount of fast work. When there is descent of the fet- 

 lock and severe pain, the animal lies down ; let him lie. Apply fomen- 

 tations and camphor, laudanum and arnica, or perhaps a little chloro- 

 form ; or if you use water, acetate of lead or opium may be added. Ban- 

 dage and bring the parts as near their natural position as possible. A 

 high-heeled shoe is recommended, and may be of benefit. After allaying 

 the acute inflammatory action, although there may still be great pain, 

 apply a blister around the fetlock and right up where the ligaments are 

 affected. In some cases, where there is extensive exudation, possibly 

 involving the bone, bursa, etc , you may find benefit from the use of the 

 firing iron. Such a horse cannot be restored to the natural condition, 

 but there will be a thickening of the parts, and the fetlock will descend 



