298 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



the articulation, and is of most frequent occurrence in horses 

 having crooked hocks and long metatarsal bones. 



Causes. — This condition may arise from injuries to the 

 part sustained while running away ; it may also be caused 

 by falls, shipping, kicks, blows of any kind, etc., and may 

 be associated with fracture of one or more of the bones 

 composing the joint. 



Symptoms. — The animal is extremely lame, stands with 

 the hock flexed, never attempts to place any weight upon 

 the limb, and there is a well-marked puffy swelling on the 

 inner aspect of the joint ; but in severe cases the swelling 

 may extend around the whole articulation, which may 

 attain an enormous size, and take on an appearance some- 

 what similar to that of lymphangitis. It is a very serious 

 injury. 



Treatment. — Absolute rest must be allowed the animal. 

 Hot and cold appHcations are of great benefit, and should 

 be long and frequently applied. Kefrigerants are very 

 useful, and none more so than ice-water. Suppuration may 

 occur among the deeper structures, and is manifested by 

 severe and increasing pain, and sometimes fluctuation, in 

 which case the parts should be opened up and the pus 

 allowed to escape, after w^hich anodyne and astringent 

 lotions may be used. Counter-irritation is in many cases of 

 very great benefit. 



Sprain of Flexor Tendons below the Hock. — Sprain of 

 the flexor tendons is not nearly so common in the hind as 

 in the fore legs, but on account of the long hair of this 

 part in certain classes of horses maj' not always be noticed. 



Sprain of the Suspensory Ligament also occurs, and the 

 fetlocks are sometimes very much bruised and injured by 

 horses galloping, and the ergots striking the ground when 

 put to very hard or fast work, such as that of racehorses. 



Treatment. — Same as though occurring in forelegs. 



