788 DIAGNOSIS OF SHOULDER LAMENESS. 



by contraction of the affected muscle. In moving backwards, the 

 lame leg is often not lifted, but dragged over the ground. Disease 

 in the levators of the fore-arm produces marked pain when the foot 

 is passively moved either forwards, backwards, inwards, or outwards. 

 In chronic lameness, too great stress must not be laid on atrophy 

 of muscle or of contraction of the hoof. Both are secondary symptoms, 

 and do not always indicate the seat of disease. 



Prognosis and course. Our ignorance of the nature of this 

 lameness renders prognosis uncertain, and the chief indication is 

 the course which the disease takes. The longer lameness has existed 

 and the greater the atrophy of muscle, the more serious the condition. 

 Inflammation of a single muscle generally takes a favourable course, 

 but rheumatic disease is often obstinate. None of the articular 

 diseases offer much hope of recovery, especially when of old standing. 

 As soon as some improvement can be noted, a more sanguine 

 prognosis may be delivered. Many cases of shoulder lameness recover 

 in two or three weeks, whilst others may continue for an indefinite 

 time. 



The treatment is as varied as the prognosis. In acute inflammation 

 and mechanical injuries, rest and cold applications in the form of 

 irrigation are most useful. Failing marked improvement in eight 

 to fourteen days, a powerful douche may prove serviceable. At 

 a later stage, irritants may be tried, and in the event of their failing, 

 setons. The long rest thus ensured has a very important influence 

 in determining recovery. When massage can be properly applied 

 it should have preference, especially in disease of soft parts, as it 

 assists resorption of inflammatory products, increases nutrition of 

 muscles, and prevents atrophy. 



Antiseptic fomentations or poultices are also useful, particu- 

 larly in the inflammation following injury or rheumatic disease. 

 Subcutaneous injections of veratrin are also worth a trial. There 

 is no doubt that veratrin affects the functional activity of muscle, 

 and assists metabolism. In shoulder lameness due to muscular 

 rheumatism exceedingly good results often follow veratrin injections. 

 Veratrin that is insoluable in water should be used, because it 

 is less rapidly absorbed, and therefore produces a local effect. 

 Wonderful results are said to have been produced in some cases by 

 the subcutaneous injection of the following solution : Atropin sulphate 

 "75 grain, morphine hydrochlor. 3 grains, water 300 grains. Failures, 

 however, are not infrequent, and in some cases fatal colic is said 

 to have occurred, which has been attributed to the atropin. If 

 this treatment be tried, the animals should be fasted for 12 hours 



