bones: diseases and accidents. 269. 



joint in an unnatural direction, or, if in a natural direction, beyond 

 the power of the ligament or tendon to restrain it properly, so that 

 part of the fibers of either kre ruptured. When such an accident 

 occurs pain is immediately inflicted, varying m degi-ee with the 

 extent of the injury, which is soon followed by swelling, with more 

 or less heat and tenderness. If the seat of the injury be in any of 

 the limbs, lameness is likely to result. Of the causes of sprain, slip- 

 ping on ice or a wet floor, playing, and fighting with another animal 

 are the most common. 



Sprain or the shoulder joint. — This is liable to occur from any 

 of the causes mentioned above or from the animal slipping suddenly 

 into a rut or hole. When such an accident occurs, sudden lameness 

 will attract attention. The animal will be noticed to drag the leg 

 when walking and to carry it in a circular direction, outward and 

 forward, at each step. The leg should be carefully examined, pres- 

 sure over the joint causing the animal to evince pain. If the person 

 making the examination is in doubt, it is well to make a comparison 

 between the shoulders by pressing first on one and then the other. 

 After such an accident the animal should be tied up so as to limit so 

 far as possible the use of the injured joint. 



Soft feed should be given with a view of keeping the bowels acting 

 freely. 



Treatment. — During the first three days the treatment should con- 

 sist of cold-water irrigation to check the inflammation and relieve the 

 pain. Hot fomentations may then be applied to hasten the absorp- 

 tion of the inflammatory fluids. Wlien the pain has somewhat 

 abated, equal parts of mercurial ointment and green soap may be 

 rubbed into the swollen tissue. Should lameness continue after the 

 tenth day, good results will be obtained from the application of a 

 blister. This may be done by carefully clipping off the hair over 

 the joint, including a surface of 4 or 5 inches in circumference, and 

 rubbing in the following preparation: 



Powdered cantharides dram 1 



Biniodid of mercury do 1 



Vaseline ounce 1 



The animal's head should be carefully tied until the third day, to 

 prevent its licking the blister. The blistered surface should then be 

 smeared with lard or vaseline every other day until the scabs fall off. 

 Gentle exercise should be allowed after the fourth or fifth day from 

 the application of the blister. If the lameness still remains the 

 blister may be repeated in three weeks or a month. 



Sprain of the fetlock. — This may occur from misstep when the 

 animal is moving rapidly, and the twisting or wrenching of the foot 

 is sufficient to rupture partially the ligaments which bind the bones 



