278 PARTICULAR LAMENESSES. 



There is generally an amount of thickening leil in the leg ; 

 but since this does not prevent the free use of the limb, it need 

 not be interfered with, as it gradually becomes absorbed, and in 

 the course of time the leg will look very respectable. 



A horse should not be put to hard work for at least six months 

 after the operation has been performed on a fore leg; if on a 

 hind leg he will require a much longer period. 



SPRAIN OF THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT. 



The superior sesamoidean or suspensory ligament is a broad 

 strong band of white fibrous tissue, arising from the supra-pos- 

 terior part of the canon bone, lying in the hollow, bounded on 

 either side by the small canon bones ; it extends downwards, 

 bifurcating above the fetlock, becoming attached to the lateral 

 parts of the sesamoids, thence it is continued downwards and 

 forwards to the tendon of the extensor pedis at the antero- 

 inferior part of the os suffraginis, where its divisions become 

 united, and are generally lost in the substance of that tendon ; 

 but in the young subject a careful dissection generally shows 

 that it acjain becomes divided, and that its two divisions travel 

 along the lateral part of the os coronse, terminating there, and 

 on either side of the pyramid of the os pedis. 



Much difference of opinion exists amongst veterinarians as 

 to whether this ligament is elastic or not, — Percivall, Dick, and 

 others maintaining that it is so ; whilst the late Professor 

 Barlow, from a careful investigation into its structure, argued to 

 the contrary. 



I am quite convinced that the latter view is the correct one, 

 and that the sesamoid bones do not descend and ascend during 

 action in the manner described by Percivall, who says — " In 

 proportion as the pastern is upright in position, less weight is 

 imposed upon tlie sesamoid bones, more upon the pastern, and 

 vice versa. AVliat pressure or weight the pastern bone receives 

 descends to the coronet, and then to the os pedis. But what 

 becomes of the weight upon the sesamoids ? they have no bones 

 below to transmit it to. They are in a somewhat similar 

 situation to the splint bones ; they call upon their attaching 

 bands (their ligaments) to support them under their load, and 

 their ligaments do so by yielding, they being elastic, so long 



