OSSALETS. 221 



in racehorses, or horses of hard and fast work, or those 

 subjected to concussion of the parts by travelling on hard 

 roads, etc. 



Symptoms. — There may be observed more or less swelling 

 in the region of the joint. There is lameness, which may 

 be severe, manifested during trotting, but which is not well 

 marked, or may be absent, during walking. There is heat 

 of the parts, and tenderness is manifested on flexing the 

 joint. The symptoms are very similar to sprain of a liga- 

 ment, for which the trouble may be easily mistaken. 



Treatment — Hot or cold applications will relieve for the 

 time being, that is, until the animal is again exerted. Allay 

 irritation, 'and treat the same as periostitis, sore shins, 

 etc. 



CHAPTER Xn. 

 WOTJNDS. 



A wound may be defined to be a solution of continuity of 

 the soft structures. Wounds may occur in any part of the 

 body, and are variously described as incised, punctured, 

 lacerated, contused, gun-shot, and poisoned. Wounds are 

 frequently met with which are both lacerated and contused, 

 and similar combinations of the other varieties may likewise 

 occur. 



Incised wounds are those in which the soft structures are 

 smoothly divided by means of a sharp-edged or clean- 

 cutting instrument, such as a knife, etc. The length of an 

 incised wound is greater than its depth. If cut in a direc- 

 tion parallel with the course of a muscle, the edges do not 

 separate to any great extent ; but in cases where the muscle 

 is divided transversely, it contracts, drawing the lips of the 

 wound apart, making a much worse appearance than when 

 the wound extends longitudinally ; and the wound extend- 



