FRACTURES— DISEASES OF MUSCLES, ETC. 311 



jf the bcnes splints of wood or gutta percha. If, by the aid of 

 assistants, the parts can be brought into a good position, these may 

 oe carefully adjusted to maintain it, and may be kept in place by 

 tapes or straps fistened moderately tightly around them. It is 

 useless, however, to attempt a minute description of the means to 

 be employed, which can hardly be understood without a demon- 

 stration. Many horses have recovered a fair use of the limb by 

 the application of splints, without slinging, as they will take care 

 to avoid resting on that foot in consequence of the pain it gives; 

 but under the care of an accomplished veterinary surgeon, slings 

 will aflPord the best chance of recovery. 



CHAPTER XX. 



INJURY AND DISEASES OP THE JOINTS, MUSCLES, AND TENDONS. 



Diseases of Muscle, Tendon, and Ligament — Of Cartilage and 

 Synovial Membrane — Inflamed Tendinous Sheaths — Inflamed 

 Burscz Mucosce — Strains — Those of the Back and Loins — OJ 

 the Shoulder— Of the Knee— Of the Fetlock— Of the Coffiu 

 Joint — Of the Suspensory Ligaments — Of the Back-Sinezvs — 

 Breaking Down — Strains of the Hip- Joint, Stifle, and Hock — 

 Curb — Dislocation — Wounds of Joints. 



DISEASES OF MUSCLE, TENDON, AND LIGAMENT. 



Muscle is subject to simple atrophy, with or without fatty de- 

 generation. The disease shows itself by a wasting away of the 

 part, accompanied by a flabby feel to the touch. It should be 

 treated by friction, gentle but regular work, and steel given inter- 

 nally, one drachm of the sulphate of iron powdered being mixed 

 with the corn twice a day. 



Rheumatic inflammation of a muscle or muscles is one of 

 the most common of all the diseases to which the horse is subject. 

 Most frequently it attacks the muscles of the shoulder, or of the 

 loins, sometimes both those parts being involved at the same time. 

 When acute it receives the name of a cliill, and is generally brought 

 on by exposing the horse to a draught of air after work, or by im- 

 mersing him in cold water up to his belly, with a view either to 

 refresh h m, or when the groom is lazy, to save him the trouble of 

 cleaning The symptoms are lameness or inability to use the part, 

 the horse, when forced to do so, giving expressions of severe pain. 

 If the shoulder is afl"ected, the foot is not put to the ground, and 

 when the leg is moved backwards and forwards by the hand, great 



