SPRAINS OF TENDONS, 343 



traordinary lameness occasioned by it, or from the sickle-like contour 

 of the hock, be recommendable in the first instance. The scores may^ 

 be drawn in straight lines over the surface of the tumour; though, 

 more commonly, the back of the hock is ^ledi feather-fashion {see 

 woodcut). The high-heeled shoe ought to be kept on during the 

 operation of blistering or firing; indeed, the horse 

 for some considerable time afterwards had better be 

 worked in calkings, supposing his ordinary shoes not Miiii'i^'''!//!;///,., 

 to be furnished with them ; or, if they should be, then (^i''^ '^ :';$] 

 the calkings now used had better be made of a stronger 

 and higher description. 



Failure of Cure, of established or permanent 

 cure, attaches to every remedial measure employed 

 for curb, though in very different ratio. After fomenta- 

 tions and lotions, supposing soundness to be restored 

 by their use, a curbed hock will hardly stand much 

 exertion. Lengthened repose is the only chance that can be given 

 it to right itself again, and grow strong enough to withstand trial. 

 After a blister, curb and lameness will now and then return ; nay, 

 on rare occasions, indeed, even after a second and a third blister. 

 Most rarely does relapse happen after firing. I have had occasion 

 to fire twice, but never thrice. Under ordinary form of curb blis- 

 tering is all that is required to insure soundness ; and on that ac- 

 count, no horse, unless soine unusual circumstances present them- 

 selves, should in the first treatment be put to the pain of firing. 

 But when other remedies have failed, there can remain no question 

 of the necessity and superior efficacy of the iron. 



Sprain of the Tendon 

 OF THE Flexor Pedis of the Hind Leg. 



The seat of this sprain is the inner side of the hock. The ten- 

 don in questio*n at this part pursues its course through a synovial 

 sheath, which commences about on a level with the summit of the 

 OS calcis, and extends to about one-third of the length of the can- 

 non downward, where it becomes closed. The windgall-like 

 tumefaction occasioned by effusion into this sheath, constituting the 



