STRAIN OF THE COFFIN JOINT 529 



the posterior commou ligaments, or that connecting the scaphoid with the 

 pisifox'm bone, or probably all these, will suffer from over extension. The 

 accident may be recognized by the heat and swelling of the part affected, 

 as well as by the pain given on using the joint. The anterior ligaments 

 are seldom strained, but are liable to injury from blows received in various 

 ways. The treatment should be conducted on the same pi'inciples as those 

 of strains in the shoulder. Cold applications will seldom do anything but 

 harm in the early stage ; but after hot fomentations have relieved the active 

 mischief, by encouraging the effusion of serum into the surrounding cellular 

 membrane, the former may be used with advantage. When the heat and 

 other signs of active inflammation have disappeared, the biniodide of mercury 

 ointment may be rubbed in, avoiding the back of the joint (see Blistering). 



STRAIN OF THE FETLOCK 



This accident shows itself at once, in consequence of the superficial 

 nature of the joint, by swelling, heat, soreness to the touch, and lameness. 

 It may be of a slight and temporary nature or involve important ligaments 

 and be of a lasting character. Treatment. — Warm fomentations, a bran or 

 linseed poultice, an aperient dose if in full corn, followed by cold applications 

 and the support of a bandage. If these fail a cantharides blister may be 

 necessary, followed by a long rest in a loose box or very small paddock, 

 where the patient cannot gallop about. 



STRAIN OF THE COFFIN JOINT 



Dissection proves that this joint is sometimes the seat of strain ; but 

 it is almost impossible to ascertain its existence with certainty during life. 

 The diagnosis is, however, not of much consequence, as the treatment will 

 be the same, whether the coffin joint or the navicular joint is the seat of the 

 mischief. In the absence of corns and all other evidence pointing to previous 

 lameness or shoeing troubles, in the sudden demonstration of acute pain, point- 

 ing of the foot, considerable heat around the coronet, and tenderness on pressure 

 of the heel, we have some of the symptoms indicating a strained joint. As 

 in any acute foot lameness some benefit may be anticipated from an aloetic 

 purge, the animal should be at once prepared (see Physic, page 302), and a 

 dose proportioned to his age, size, and condition administered. Poulticing 

 or warm fomentations give relief by permitting expansion of the foot and 

 the engorged vessels in the neighbourhood of the joint. After the acute 

 symptoms have passed away, cold lotions or wet swabs should be constantly 

 applied, and the treatment concluded with a mild blister around the 

 coronary band. In all joint injuries a long rest should be prescribed in a 

 roomy box where the patient will take just sufficient exercise to promote 

 the secretion of healthy synovia. 



STRAIN OF THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENTS 



The suspensory ligament not being elastic like the back sinews (which, 

 though not in themselves extensible, are the prolongations of muscles which 



