BRUISES. 475 



CURB, OR EXTENSION OF THE LIGAMENTS OF THE HOCK. 



This is usually brought on by some violence offered to 

 the sheath of the perforans tendon, passing downwards at 

 the back of the hock. It is often the effect of leaping, 

 rearing, kicking, &c., and as such is usually sudden in its 

 appearance. A kind of predisposition to curbs from con- 

 formation is apparent in horses with sickle hocks. For the 

 confirmation of this fact the public are indebted to the dis- 

 sections and observations of Mr. W. Percivall, a writer whose 

 various works cannot be too highly commended. The lame- 

 ness arising from curbs is not, in general, severe: occa- 

 sionally, however, it may and does prove considerable. The 

 treatment must accord with the general rules estabhshed for 

 the cure of other ligamentary extensions or strains ; by first 

 allaying the inflammatory symptoms, and then by counter- 

 irritants, as blisters, &c., promoting an absorption of the 

 deposit ; using iodine ointment and ung. cantharides, mixed 

 in equal parts, wuth a high-heeled shoe. 



BRUISES. 



These are tumours formed by some injury, when a rup- 

 ture of the smaller vessels occasions an extravasation of 

 blood within. If the lesion be moderate, the parts will 

 reinstate themselves ; the effused blood will either become 

 absorbed and the tumour removed, or otherwise it will 

 become organized, and, with some increase of dimension, 

 will form an integral portion of the surrounding mass : but 

 when the injury is violent, the parts may be unequal to 

 either of these processes, when the extravasated blood will 

 become a source of irritation, and suppuration will follow. 

 Should a still higher degree of injury have been sustained, 

 the entire tone of the substances around becomes destroyed, 

 and sloughing must take place ; when the living parts will 

 make an effort to remove the dead, and an extensive sore 

 will be formed. 



The treatment of bruises will therefore vary according to 

 these several circumstances. We should always endeavour 

 to fully reinstate the part, by promoting absorption of the 

 effusion; which may be done by giving local strength by 



