INJURIES, ETC., BELOW THE KNEE. 265 



acetas in solution, or the ordinary white lotion, made 

 stronger or weaker, as the case requires. 



INJURIES, Etc., BELOW THE KNEE. 

 SPRAIN OF THE METACARPAL LIGAMENT. 



The most frequent seat of sprain in this region is the meta- 

 carpal ligament, and this constitutes a condition commonly, 

 but improperly, known as ' sprain of the back tendons.' 



Causes. — Sprain of the metacarpal ligament may be 

 caused by violent exertion of any kind, as racing, jumping, 

 etc., but may occur in cart horses pulling heavy loads, and 

 more especially if they are shod with high-toed shoes ; and 

 some animals, on account of faulty conformation, have a 

 tendency to this sprain. 



Symptoms. — The lameness may or may not be severe. The 

 presence of an exudate may readily be discovered on 

 examination of the parts. Pressure on the tendon does not 

 elicit from the animal any manifestation of pain, but pressure 

 anterior to the tendon causes considerable pain, which is 

 shown by flinching, etc. If bathed with hot water, tempor- 

 ary relief is obtained. The irritation being removed for 

 a while, the animal stands with the limb slightly flexed. 

 (When the tendons are afl'ected, the swelling is found 

 further back, situated about the middle of the tendon; 

 and frequently the limb is bowed, taking on the shape 

 usually assumed by the dried specimen.) 



Treatment. — If the case is got immediately, refrigerant ap- 

 plications are to be freely used (if the weather is warm) ; sal 

 ammoniac, potassium nitrate, white lotion, etc., are all of 

 great benefit. By these means exudation may be lessened 

 in quantity or almost completely prevented. Ice water is 

 also very useful, and bandages should be applied. If the 

 exudate has already taken place and there is much pain 

 present, fomentations as hot as the animal can bear are to 



