STRAIN OF THE BACK SINEWS 531 



fibres, and in the manatgement this result should be carefully guarded 

 against. The injury is generally confined to the sheath of the tendons, 

 which in most cases gradually puts on an inflammatory condition for some 

 time before actual lameness is observed. In bad cases, however, the liga- 

 mentous fibres which are given off by the posterior carpal ligament to the 

 flexor tendons are ruptured, greatly increasing the amount of inflammation 

 and subsequent loss of strength. In any case the tendon feels spongy, and 

 slightly enlarged, and there is more or less soreness on pressure and on 

 being trotted, but in the latter case exercise removes the tenderness, and 

 veiy often temporarily causes an absorption of the effused fluid, which is 

 again deposited during rest. This state of things goes on for a time, the 

 groom doing all in his power to alleviate it by wet bandages, etc., but at 

 last a severe race or gallop brings on an extra amount of inflammation, with 

 or without actual strain of the fibres of the tendon, and then there can be no 

 doubt about the propriety of rest and severe treatment. It often happens 

 that both legs are slighty affected, but one being more tender than the other, 

 the horse attempts to save it by changing legs, the consequence of which 

 is that the comparatively sound tendons are strained, and he returns to 

 his stable with both legs in a bad state, but with one of them requiring 

 immediate attention. 



Treatment. — An aloetic purge and warm fomentations. A high-heeled 

 shoe (called a patten) should be put on the foot, so as to allow the horse to 

 rest part of the weight upon the heel without distressing the tendon, and 

 this will have a tendency to prevent him from over-shooting at the fetlock 

 joint, which he will otherwise be very apt to do, fx'om constantly balancing 

 his leg on the toe. After three or four days the hot fomentations will have 

 done what is wanted, and a cold lotion may be applied by means of a loose 

 linen bandage. The best is composed as follows : — 



Take of Ammonium Chloride 2 oz. 



Vinegar ^ pint. 



Methylated Spirit \ pint. 



Water 2 c^uarts. Mix. 



With this the bandage should be kept constantly wet, the application being 

 continued for a fortnight at least, during which time the patient must be 

 kept cool, by lowering his food. At the end of three weeks or a month 

 from the accident, the leg must be either blistered or fired, the choice de- 

 pending upon the extent of injury, and the desire to avoid a blemish if such 

 a feeling exists. The latter is the more eflicacious plan, no doubt, but 

 blistering will frequently sufiice in mild cases. If, however, the tendons at 

 the end of a month continue greatly enlarged, a cure can hardly be expected 

 without the use of the " irons." 



BREAKING DOWN 



Great confusion exists among trainers as to the exact nature of this 

 accident, which is considered by the veterinary surgeon to consist in an 

 actual rupture of the suspensory ligament either above or below the sesa- 

 moid bones, which, in fact, merely separate this apparatus of suspension into 

 two portions, just as the patella intervenes between the rectus femoris and 



