GENERAL DISEASES OF THE MUSCLES. 313 



matter may be evacuated with knife or lancet, but the degenera- 

 tions may be looked upon as permanent 



Fatty degeneration is common in overfed animals, above all 

 in those bred for early maturity and great aptitude to fatten 

 (improved cattle, sheep, and pigs), and is quite irremediable. 

 It may also arise from paralysis, the result of injuries to the 

 nerves as in roaring. 



RUPTURE OF TENDONS. SECTION OF TENDONS. 



These are not uncommon in horses during severe exertions, 

 as on the race-course, the back tendons being the most common 

 seat of the injury. Whether torn across or divided with a 

 cutting instrument, they are readily repaired by the exudation 

 of lymph between the divided ends and its organization into 

 white fibrous tissue. It is necessary to support the limb so 

 that the divided ends may be placed in apposition and retained 

 thus for three or four weeks. Inflammation is to be checked 

 by ordinary means, 



SPRAINS. 



Wlien subjected to over-exertion, sinews become the seat of 

 sudden severe pain, inflammation, exudation, thickening, and 

 shortening. Sprains occur mainly from severe and continued 

 over-exertion, or from the sudden jerk consequent on taking a 

 wrong step when fatigued and unable readily to recover the 

 balance. They are most frequent where tendons play over a 

 bony process, but may occur at any part, and are of all grades 

 from those producing a slight halt, with almost imperceptible 

 thickening of the tendinous cord, to those in which the cord has 

 been extensively torn and becomes the centre of a most violent 

 inflammation. 



Treatment. — When violently inflamed or the seat of extreme 

 pain, the tendon should be rested and relaxed by giving a suit- 

 able position to the limb, and fomented with warm water or 



