STR1NGHALT. 1021 



the inner side the tendon either remains fixed about half-way up 

 the astragalus, or slips down as far as the articular prominence of 

 that bone. 



Such ruptures occur in falling when jumping, violent kicking, 

 or follow external injuries like contusion, &c. 



Symptoms. Displacement is rarely followed by severe lameness ; 

 the gait is insecure, awkward and rolling, and the animal appears 

 to have lost full control of the limb. Standing behind the horse, 

 the perforatus tendon is seen to deviate to one side of the os calcis 

 every time the hock is extended. In other cases the tendon, though 

 displaced, can easily be returned to its position on the point of the 

 calcis ; but almost immediately becomes again luxated. When the 

 tendon and neighbouring parts are inflamed from kicks, &c, the 

 swelling and pain produce a more marked lameness, otherwise move- 

 ment is only mechanically interfered with. 



Prognosis. Recovery is uncertain on account of the difficulty 

 of fixing the hock for a sufficient length of time to allow the ends 

 of the ruptured ligament to unite. Even though the tendon can 

 be replaced, it tends to slip out of position the next time the limb is 

 extended or weight is placed on it. As a rule, outward luxation is 

 much more hopeful than inward displacement of the tendon. 

 Usually the animals recover sufficiently to do light work, and those 

 with outward luxation may become serviceable for fast work. 



Treatment consists in resting the horse and checking the local 

 inflammation sometimes seen in recent cases. After an interval, 

 the hock may be blistered once or twice. Drouet and others suggest 

 suturing the tendon to the tendo Achillis and calcaneo-metatarsal 

 ligament. Sometimes the luxated tendon can be secured in position 

 by silver wire sutures passed through the os calcis. The sutures 

 are inserted in the recumbent position and afterwards tied when the 

 horse is standing in .slings. 



X.— STRINGHALT. 



The term " stringhalt " has been applied to that peculiar 

 involuntary movement of one or both hind limbs, in which the affected 

 member is flexed with excessive suddenness, and lifted abnormally 

 high, whilst it still continues able to support the animal, and other- 

 wise allows of movement in the usual way. Similar movements 

 in the fore limbs are rare, but Frick states having seen two cases 

 where they occurred. Sometimes the peculiar movement is seen 

 while trotting, sometimes also while walking ; as a rule, it persists 



