352 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



mortification health}' gfi'^nulations .should form and fill up the wound, 

 still ver}' careful attention will be required, the g-ranulating ends of 

 the tendons having a tendenc}- to bulge between the edges of the skin 

 and to assume large dimensions, forming bulky excrescences or growths 

 of a wart}' or cauliflower appearance, the removal of which becomes a 

 troublesome matter. 



The union of the tendons will at times leave a thickening of varying 

 degree near the point of cicatrization, the absorption of which becomes 

 an object of difficult and doubtful accomplishment, but which may be 

 promoted by moderate blistering and the use of alterative and absorb- 

 ent mixtures or perhaps the fire iron. A shoe with heels somewhat 

 higher than usual will prove a comfort to the animal and aid in mod- 

 erating and relieving the tension of the tendons. 



KCPTURE OF THE FLEXOR METATARSI. 



This is a muscle of the anterior part of the shank. It is situated in 

 front of the tibia, and is of peculiar formation, being composed of a 

 muscular portion with a very powerful tendon, which are at first dis- 

 tinct and separate, to be intimately united lower down, and terminat- 

 ing at the lower end by a division into four tendinous bands. It is a 

 powerful muscle of the hinder shank bone, and also acts as a strong 

 means of support for the stifle joint, that is, of the articulation of the 

 thigh and shank bone, in front and outside of which it passes. Its 

 situation and its use cause it to be liable to severe stretching and strain- 

 ing, and a rupture of some of its fibers is sometimes the consequence. 



Caitse. — This injury may be the result of a violent effort of the ani- 

 mal in leaping over a high obstacle; in missing his foothold and sud- 

 denly slipping backward while powerfully grasping the ground with 

 the feet in striving to start a heavily loaded vehicle; or in making a 

 violent eflort to prevent a probable fall; or in attempting to lift the 

 feet from miry ground. 



S(/mj.)tonis. — The accident is immediately followed by disability 

 which will vary according to the true seat of the injury and the period 

 of its duration. This rupture will not prevent the horse from stand- 

 ing perfectly and firmly on his feet when kept at rest, and while no 

 muscular efforts are required from him there is no appearance of any 

 lesion or unsoundness. An attempt to move him backwards, however, 

 will cause him to throw all his weight upon his hind quarters, and he 

 Avill refuse to raise his foot from the ground. If compelled to do so, 

 or required to move forward, the hock being no longer capable of 

 flexion, the muscle which effects that movement being the injured 

 one, the opposite muscles, the extensors, acting freely, the entire 

 lower part of the leg, from the hock down, will be suddenly, with a 

 jerk, extended on the tibia or shank bone, and simultaneously with 

 this the tendo-Achillis, the cord of the hock, the tendons of the exten- 



