200 



THE STOCK OWNKU S ADVISER. 



cases, but should not be used too quickly. Its use is very benefi- 

 cial, however, in chronic inflammation of the tendon. 



In chronic cases, where shortening has permanently taken 

 place, the operation of tenotomy must be performed. Many 

 horses with contraction of the tendons will do slow work toler- 

 ably well if a piece of iron is attached to the toe of the shoe, pro- 

 jecting an inch or two in front of it and slightly turned up at its 

 anterior part. Tenotomy or division of the tendon should only 



Fig. 45 — Sprain of the Metacarpal Ligament. 



be performed by a skilled surgeon, and the animal should be a 

 valuable one, as it takes six months, in case of a fore \eg, before 

 an animal can be put to work again, and a much longer time if in 

 the hind limb. The operation in the hind limb is often disap- 

 pointing, even with the assistance of the lever on the toe of the 

 shoe. 



SPRAIN OF THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT. 



The suspensory ligament is a broad band of white fibrous 

 tissue, arising from the supra-posterior part of the canon bone, 

 lying in the hollow between the two splint bones and ternii- 



