378 RUPTURE OF THE GASTROCNEMIUS MUSCLE. 



cured with the following remedies; but the cure of such strains is 

 not the work of a little time." — Had not my case been recorded 

 seven years ago, at a time I little expected to meet with such an 

 accident, much less to find any account of what seemed to me such 

 a rara avis in any old work on farriery, so remarkable are the co- 

 incidences between my account and SoUeysel's, that one might be 

 led to think I had perused his before I wrote my own. 



To this case of my own I with more confidence add the follow- 

 ing cases kindly brought under my notice by Mr. Tombs, V.S., 

 Stratford-on-Avon, late of the Bengal Horse Artillery, in whose 

 practice they occurred*. 



Dec. \Oth, 1832. — An aged troop horse was admitted into the 

 hospital stable this morning, in consequence of severely injuring 

 both hind legs by entangling them in the wheel of a gun car- 

 riage while at practice. There were slight contusions on the near 

 leg : the off one was dreadfully bruised, and the horse could not 

 rest the least portion of his weight on it. When held up, it ap- 

 peared as though the tibia was fractured, the hock and leg having 

 an exceedingly rotatory motion. On minute examination I ascer- 

 tained that the gastrocnemic muscles were rwptured where they 

 become tendinous. Six quarts of blood were taken from the femo- 

 ral vein, and a patten shoe applied. Repelling lotions and foment- 

 ations were ordered, and a purgative administered. 



11^^. — Patient in statu quo. Fomentations continued. 



18/fA. — No perceptible amendment. It is very strange that no 

 swelling has taken place. The parts must be roused into action ; 

 therefore let a blister be applied. 



20/A. — The blister has produced a violent inflammation, and an 

 enormous swelling. Treatment, fomentations and physic. 



27^A. — Inflammation abated ; swelling less. He can now bear 

 a little weight on the feet. Apply a charge to brace up the in- 

 jured parts. 



Jan. ^th, J 833. — The patient improving slowly ; but, when the 

 foot is elevated from the ground, the leg has still a sort of rotatory 

 motion. Continue the charge. 



20/A. — The injured muscles are extremely weak and relaxed. 



* Recorded in The Veterinarian, vol. viii, p. 2G7. 



