WOUNDS, SPRAINS, BRUISES, ABRASIONS, AND ABSCESSES. 53 



Strains of the muscles. 



Muscle strains occur in various parts of the trunk and limbs; 

 thus, a horse may strain the neck muscles, as a result of falling 

 on the head; the muscles of the dorsal region may be strained 

 by the hind feet slipping backward. When a muscle is strained 

 the injury is succeeded by pain, swelling, heat, and loss of function. 



An inflamed muscle can no longer contract; hence in some strains 

 the symptoms resemble those of paralysis. 



Sprains of the suspensory ligament and flexor tendons. 



('' Breakdown " and " Bowed tendons.") 



The fibrous structures situated behind the cannon bone, both in 

 the front and hind legs, are often the seat of lacerations or sprains 

 resulting from violent efforts or sudden jerks. The injury is easily 

 recognized by the changed appearance of the parts, which become 

 more or less swollen; the swelling usually extending from the knee 

 down to the fetlock and occasionally even farther. It is always 

 characterized by heat and is variously sensitive, ranging from a mere 

 tenderness to a degree of soreness which sin-inks from the lightest 

 touch. The degree of lameness corresponds to the severity of the 

 injury. Sprain of the flexor tendon is shown in Plate X, figure 3. 



Sprains of ligaments. 



The calcaneo-cuboid ligament, situated at the back part of the 

 hock and uniting the calcaneum, the cuboid, and the external splint 

 bones, is frequently sprained. This condition is known as a "curb" 

 (Plate X, Fig. 1). 



The various ligaments entering into the formation of joints are 

 subject to sprains and injuries. This condition is indicated by 

 lameness, accompanied by pain, heat, and swelling. 



The capsular ligament when sprained very often becomes weak- 

 ened, resulting in distention of the synovial sac (Plate X, Fig. 2). 

 Bursal enlargements receive different names, according to their 

 location. Bog spavin is a characteristic bursal enlargement. It is 

 found on the front and inner side of the hock joint and varies in size 

 with the amount of distention of the capsular ligament. The trouble 

 is usually caused by slipping, hard and fast work, irregular exercise, 

 and high feeding. Draft animals, pulling heavy loads over rough or 

 slippery ground, are particularly subject to tins injury, which is also 

 more commonly seen in young than in mature animals. The swell- 

 ing can be readily detected; under pressure it fluctuates; heat may 

 or may not be present; lameness rarely results unless the injury be 

 accompanied by complications, such as bone spavin or bony deposits. 



