232 Diseases of the Horse. 



ments, and mild blisters, and a long period of rest in the 

 barn-yard or at grass. 



There are two agents, however, worth trying : The one is the 

 hypodermic injection of strychnia, one-half to one grain daily, 

 immediately over the "sweenied" muscle; and the other the 

 steady and intelligent use of electricity. When the animal 

 is a valuable one, it will pay to have one or both these 

 measures carried out by a skillful person. 



SPRAIN OF TEE BACK SINEWS, OE FLEXOR TENDONS. 



This strain or diseased condition of the back sinews is gen- 

 erally seen in cart horses and others required to pull heavy 

 loads. It is a very common variety of lameness. The 

 sinew becomes sw^ollen, tender, enlarged and a little shortened, 

 so that the horse stands on his toes and cannot put his heels 

 to the ground. The leg is held stiff and upright and the toe 

 dug into the ground. 



The treatment required is a high-heeled shoe, with rest, 

 and stimulating liniments. In old cases, where there is much 

 shortening, the sinew may be divided beneath the skin, by 

 the operation called tenotomy. To perform this requires a 

 close knowledge of the anatomy of the parts, to avoid wound- 

 ing the artery, so that it had better be left to the professional 

 veterinarian. ' 



INJURIES OF THE FOOT AND LOWER LEG. 



Interfering. — This is an injury of the fetlock, caused by a 

 blow by the opposite fo.t. It is commonly seen in young 

 and awkward, or else ill-shod horses, and can generally be 

 prevented by judicious shoeing and protecting the fetlock 

 with a piece of leather. 



An Overreach is an injury to the coronet of the fore foot 

 by the shoe of the hind foot. It, too, is often owing to im- 



