92 The Care of Animals 



muscles seem to be injured b}- the pressure of the 

 coUar. While sweeney is commonly caused by plowing, 

 any hard, continuous pulling may produce it. 



In many cases there is a lack of definite symptoms, 

 the first thing noticed being a wasting away of the 

 muscles on the outside of the shoulder-blade, and a lack 

 of proper use of the corresponding front leg. In a few 

 cases there may be marked pain, as shown by sweating, 

 rolling and pointing the nose toward the shoulder, with 

 a temporary swelling of the muscles. These symptoms 

 are followed by the wasting of the muscles. 



Severe and long -continued cases of lameness in the 

 fore leg often cause a gradual wasting of the muscles of 

 the shoulder from a lack of use of the leg. The same 

 condition occurring in the hind leg is sometimes called 

 "hip Sweeney," but such wasting of muscles from disuse 

 is not properly so called. In sweeney, the muscles on 

 the outside of the shoulder-blade seem to disappear; the 

 skin appears to grow fast to the bone, and the form of 

 the bone can be plainly seen as it moves beneath the 

 skin. In using the leg, the animal swings it outward. 

 In most cases of sweenej^ the horse is but slightly lame. 



To treat, remove the cause. If necessary to work the 

 animal, a perfect-fitting collar should be used, and the 

 work made light. The skin over the affected muscles 

 should be loosened from the tissues beneath by manipu- 

 lation. Rubbing the muscles, and using a mild lini- 

 ment, is good. A seaton of tape inserted beneath the 

 skin over the affected muscles, beginning at the top and 

 brought out below, or two or three light blisters three 

 weeks apart, in most cases will effect a cure. Hand- 



