252 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



greater assistance (in diagnosis) than manipulation. He 

 shows a strong tendency to strike the toe and stumble 

 during progression, and on being made to step over an eleva- 

 tion of a foot or eighteen inches, he either refuses, or, being 

 forced, does so with every manifestation of pain and re- 

 luctance, to such an extent in some cases as to even cause 

 the animal to groan, and, lifting the affected limb very care- 

 fully, he drags it over or strikes his toe against the obstruc- 

 tion. 



SPRAIN OF THE FLEXOR BRACHII. 



This gives rise to a lameness which is frequently mis- 

 taken for shoulder-joint lameness. If inflammation occur- 

 ring in this muscle be not checked, ossification of a portion 

 or the whole of the muscle may take place. This is on 

 account of its structure being largely fibrous. If ossifica- 

 tion of this muscle takes place, it renders the animal 

 permanently lame. 



Treatment. — The treatment for sprain of the flexor brachii 

 is about the same as for shoulder-joint lameness, that is, 

 frequently applied and long-continued fomentations, cold 

 applications, etc., to allay irritation, after which counter- 

 irritants are to be freely used, as may seem necessary, an old 

 and good application being a newly-flayed sheep-skin. 

 Anodyne and stimulating embrocations are often of great 

 benefit. Where improvement is perceptible, every chance 

 should be given the animal, and he should not be worked 

 until a permanent cure is effected, or ossification of the 

 flexor brachii will be likely to occur. In the case of an old 

 or cheap animal, where there is a bony deposit around the 

 articulation, destruction should be advised ; if a good breed- 

 ing animal, its life may be preserved. 



