SPRAIN OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS, &C. 4/1 



SPRAIN OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS, THEIR SHEATHS, AND 

 LIGAMENTOUS CONNEXIONS. 



A sprain or strain of the flexor tendons is a very grave 

 and serious evil. It is probably often accompanied by 

 laceration of some of the ligamentous fibres ; there is, how- 

 ever, no doubt but that it may be occasioned by a simple 

 distention of the synovial sheaths, and even of the tendons 

 themselves. It is more frequent in the lore than the hind 

 legs ; but it may and does occur in both. It is the result 

 of some violence which acts suddenly on the limbs, as 

 downward leaps, attempts to recover a false step, &c. It 

 is also occasioned sometimes by lowering the heels too 

 much and too suddenly ; by which they are put unnaturally 

 on the stretch. The injury received brings on inflamma- 

 tion, with an incapabihty of extending the hmb. If the 

 inflammation continue, or exercise or improper applications 

 be made use of, the eff'usion then not being readily absorbed 

 may eventually form adhesions between the tendons and 

 their sheaths. It is these eff'ects of adhesive inflammation 

 which form the permanent callosities around the back 

 sinews ; and which, by obstructing the freedom of motion, 

 occasion a lameness much felt after very hard work, as well 

 as at first starting to exercise ; but this decreases as the 

 journey proceeds. It being therefore observed that he is 

 not only less lame when exerted, but also less swollen, an 

 opinion is very general that horses with old strains may be 

 ivorked sound. It would be as reasonable to drive the 

 soldier with one leg until the other grew. 



The treatment of thecal and ligamentous distention or 

 sprain should follow the general rules already laid down. 

 Put the horse where he may be quiet, and have a high- 

 heeled shoe placed on the foot of the affected leg. Cold 

 applications, in the very early stages, particularly when the 

 tumefaction is considerable, will much tend to unload the 

 vessels • and the same indications will be followed by im- 

 mersing the whole limb in spring water. In two or three 

 days change this plan for fomentations or embrocations. 

 Any treatment more stimulating than this in the early stages 

 tends to increase the deposit of lymph, and to orgamze 

 it into a permanent tumour. But when the active stage ot 



