DISEASES OF THE BONES. 85 



guish from certain diseases of the feet whicli usually accom- 

 pany it. Quite frequently the lameness is apparent in the 

 legs and feet alone. The horse seldom stands equally upon 

 both feet, but throws forward the limb upon the affected side 

 to rest it, and his step is short and limping. There is great 

 fever in the shoulder; the flesh becomes hard; the skin ad- 

 heres to the bone so closely that it can with difficulty be 

 moved at all; the parts shrivel away, and the entire shoul- 

 der has a hollow, shrunken appearance. The animal's, un- 

 willingness to lie down is a most characteristic symptom, the 

 pain occasioned by the strain upon the muscles and tendons 

 of the shoulder being greater than he is willing to undergo ; 

 and when, at length, compelled to do so by sheer exhaustion, 

 there is no mistaking his sufferings and complainings. This 

 circumstance alone infallibly discriminates between ^winney 

 and founder, as the foundered horse lies down with ease, and 

 passes more than half his time in a recumbent position. 



The second stage is really the beginning of what farmers 

 call big shoulder, a sad affliction, which will presently be 

 spoken of under its own name. It is the sequel of long-con- 

 tinued inflammation, or of unusually severe injuries. In this, 

 the tendons that connect the scapula with the back — having 

 been violently torn loose, or becoming relaxed from the 

 weakening effects of disease — no longer keep the blade in its 

 place, but permit it to drop downward. Disease extends not 

 only to the scapula, but also to the humerus — properly the 

 upper bone of the arm, but often called the lower one of the 

 shoulder. The head of this bt>ne begins to grow, and hyper- 

 trophy adds a new complication to the case. The joint be- 

 comes greatly enlarged, and from sheer weakness pitches for- 

 ward, the muscles surrounding it waste away, and this part 

 of the shoulder appears terribly misshapen. The most casual 

 glance at the animal's disfigured condition now reveals but too 

 plainly what has taken place. 



One feature of swinney deserves particular attention : that 

 it is almost invariably accompanied by diseased feet. Of all 

 the disorders which indirectly affect the horse's foot, none do 



