A SPRAIN OR STRAIN. 209 



Treatment. — Rest, fomentations, and the use of the ammo- 

 niacal liniment. In some cases it may be necessary to place the 

 animal in slings. 



SPRAIN OF THE FLEXOE METATARSI. 



This muscle is attached to the femur, tibia, and metatarsal 

 bones. Sprain is caused by jumping, falling, or being cast in 

 any way. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms are very peculiar. As a result of 

 an injury inflicted, the muscle loses its power of contraction, 

 while tlie opposing muscles at the back of the limb retain their 

 contractile power, causing the limb to fly upwards and back- 

 wards with great violence, where it remains hanging, dangling 

 as if broken. When the animal makes a step or removes its 

 weight from the limb it flies back and hangs dangling as before. 

 If the injury is in connection with the tendinous portion of the 

 muscle, and the animal very old, it is best to destroy it. 



Treatmext.- — Fomentations, the use of a liniment composed 

 of equal parts of aqua ammonia, turpentine, and linseed oil, and 

 a long rest. The animal should be fed well. It will take six 

 months to effect a cure. 



Sprain of the gastroscnemi muscles occasionally occur. The 

 symptoms are similar to sprain of the flexor metatarsi, except 

 that the limb inclines forw^ard instead of backwards. The treat- 

 ment is similar. 



BOG SPAVIN. 



Bog spavin may be defined to be a soft, puffy tumor situated 

 on the antero-internal aspect of the hock. If the enlargement is 

 a tense, fluctuating swelling, accompanied by heat and pain, it 

 is an unsoundness. It indicates a change within the textures of 

 the joint. There are bog spavins, however, which may not be 

 looked upon as constituting unsoundness, being a mere dropsy 

 of the articulation. Bog spavin is most frequently seen among 

 heavy horses, and in such animals very little importance is at- 

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