DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 851 



with comparative!}^ little pain, and the animal will unconsciously con- 

 tinue to move the leg as if in great suffering, notwithstanding the 

 fact that hi§ general condition may be very good and his appetite 

 unimpaired. 



The effect upon the general organism of compound lacerated wounds 

 of tendinous structures, or those which are associated with injuries of 

 the skin, are different. The wound becomes in a short time the seat 

 of a high degree of inflammation with abundant suppuration, filling it 

 from the bottom; and the tendon, whether as the result of the bruise 

 or of the laceration, or of maceration in the accumulated pus, under- 

 goes a process of softening, and necrosis and sloughing ensue. This 

 complicates the case, and probably some form of tendinous synovitis 

 follows, running into suppurative arthritis, to end, if close to a joint, 

 with a fatal result. 



Prognosis. — The prognosis of lacerated tendons should be ver}^ con- 

 servative. Under the most favorable circumstances a period of from 

 six weeks to two months will be necessary for the treatment, before 

 the formation of the cicatricial callus and the establishment of a firm 

 union between the tendinous stumps. 



Treatment. — As with fractures, and even in a greater degree, the 

 necessity is imperative, in the treatment of lacerated tendons, to secure 

 as perfect a state of immobilitj^ as can be obtained compatibly with the 

 disposition of the patient; the natural opposition of the animal, some- 

 times ill-tempered and fractious at best, under the necessarj^ restraint, 

 causing at times much embarrassment to the practitioner in applving 

 the necessarj" treatment. Without the necessary immobility no close 

 connection of the ends of the tendons can be secured. To fulfill this 

 necessary condition the posterior part of the foot and the fetlock must 

 be supported and the traction performed b}^ them relieved, an object 

 which can be obtained by the use of the high-heeled and bar shoe, or 

 possibly better accomplished with a shoe of the same kind extending 

 about 2 or 2i inches back of the heels. The perfect immobilit}^ of the 

 legs is obtained in the same wa}^ as in the treatment of fracture, with 

 splints, bandages, iron apparatus, plasters of adhesive mixtures, and 

 similar means. So long as the dressings remain in place undisturbed, 

 and no chafing or other evidence of pain is present, the dressings ma}^ 

 be continued without changing, the patient being kept in the slings 

 for a period sufficient to insure the perfect union of the tendons. But 

 for a compound lesion, when there is laceration of the skin, some spe- 

 cial care is necessary. The wound must be carefulh' watched and the 

 dressings removed at intervals of a few daj^s, or as often as may be 

 needful, all of which additional manipulation and extra nursing, how- 

 ever indispensable, still adds to the gravity of the case and renders the 

 prognosis more and more serious. When the tendons have sloughed 

 in threads of various dimensions, or if in the absence of this process of 



