BTnATNS.1 



MODEltN VETERINARY PRACTICE. 



[STRAIXS. 



lifter firing, in extreme cases, turiiint; cut, and 

 t:ikin<; the liortio up souiui, tho oun^ or souiui- 

 noss is rather to bo assignod to the rest than 

 the firing. 



Strains in the ligainonlary parts are in gene- 

 ral oceasioned by sudden jerks, short turns, or 

 they may arise iVoni the limbs sinking in deep 

 ground, and tlie exertions wliich have to be made 

 to get tliem extricated. The ligamentary parts 

 being situated at the junction of bones, and, 

 in some cases, covered with muscles and soft 

 parts, no great expectation of relief can be 

 formed from the eilicacy of external applica- 

 tion, when the seat of pain is unluckily so 

 remote from tlie surface. AVe will now, how- 

 ever, enter upon a more especial description 

 of strains, and their mode of treatment, when 

 they occur in particular parts of the anatomical 

 structure. 



STRAIN IN THE SHOULDER. 



Strain in the shoulder was formerly called 

 chest, or body founder. AVhere there is strain 

 in the shoulder, there cannot be the slightest 

 mistake in discovering it, for the horse, in his 

 pace, makes a circuitous or rotary motion of 

 the leg that is aftected, and drags his toe on 

 the ground, in endeavouring to bring it forward. 

 He also, if we may be allowed tiie term, ap- 

 pears to hutch up that side altogether, in 

 endeavouring to walk. 



These strains are frequently the consequence 

 of a side wrench, or slip, by which the fore 

 legs become so widely separated, that the 

 muscles are stretched to an unnatural extent, 

 or, in some cases, are actually ruptured ; the 

 greatest pain being evinced. The ligamentous 

 attachment also participates in the injury, as 

 the muscles of tliese parts are of themselves 

 of a peculiarly delicate and tender nature, so as 

 easily to become ruptured. Slioulder strains do 

 not frequently occur ; though grooms and 

 farriers, and other persons connected with 

 horses, are often led, from habit, to attribute 

 to them every lameness they do not under- 

 stand, and the seat of which does not make 

 itself evident to the untutored senses ; for, on 

 viewing a horse in front, the muscles of 

 one shoulder will sometimes appear wasted. 

 Though this be so evident, it requires more 

 than usual explanation to make even in- 

 telligent persons believe that the evil did 



not originate where it appears to liavo done. 

 In all affections of tlie feet, where tlu'ro 

 is much [tain and lainenctss, nine timed 

 out of ten, tho lameness is placed on llio 

 shoulder, and this in consequence of persons 

 not knowing the real seat of disease; for the 

 horse will draw his fore legs closer together, 

 wlien the spine of tlie blade-bono becomes 

 prominent, and the whole substance seeina 

 lessened. Tlie origin is from inaction, in 

 which case muscles always diminish ; added to 

 which, the })ain the animal is continually in, 

 occasions him to give rest to the diseased 

 limb. 



It is very necessary, therefore, to be ablo 

 accurately to distinguish shoulder strain ; and 

 if proper attention is paid to the rules before 

 laid down, as to the action of the leg, there 

 will be but little difficulty in at once pro- 

 nouncing where the seat of lameness exists. 

 AV^hen the horse is at rest, the limb is gene- 

 rally pushed forward, the animal scarcely daring 

 to touch the ground with it, the toe only jusl 

 resting on it, as we see when he seems to be 

 in tlie act of lifting the leg. By these means 

 it is easy to distinguish shoulder strain from 

 diseases of the feet ; for in those cases, the 

 horse puts his foot straight out — what is called 

 pointing — ^resting on the entire foot. These 

 symptoms being so entirely different to affec- 

 tions of the feet, there can be no difficulty in 

 determining between the two, especially if, in 

 taking the leg off the ground, and extending 

 it forward as much as possible, the muscles of 

 the chest are at the same time pressed. This 

 will at once determine, in the miud of a judge, 

 the seat of lameness. 



The seat of the lameness being discovered, 

 we refer the reader to that portion of the 

 W'Ork treating of Strains in General; and, 

 as a remedy, we recommend the use of tho 

 liniment directed for strains. 



Some people prefer what are called repellents, 

 or cold applications ; but these will be always 

 found to fail, nothing answering so well as a 

 remedy that will promote the action of the ab- 

 sorbents, and, at the same time, act as a counter- 

 irritant. Should the injury to the parts occa- 

 sion a degree of fever, let blood be taken from 

 the jugular vein, according to the size and 

 strength of the animal. Apply then the tar 

 liniment; but do not apply a common blister, 



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