326 THE FARM DOCTOR. 



Symptoms. — Pendent head, dragging toe, swinging outward 

 of the foot when being advanced, shortness of the step, and a 

 tendency to stand with the toe only resting on the ground and 

 the limb bent but not advanced. Swelling of the point of the 

 shoulder is sometimes, though rarely seen, but pressure on 

 this point with the thumbs will detect tenderness, which is 

 especially marked as compared with that of the other shoulder. 

 The pressure should be made successively on the inner side of 

 the tendon, on the outer and on its centre. 



Treattnefit. — First subdue the inflammation by rest, a high- 

 heeled shoe and a wet rug kept hanging continually over the 

 shoulder (a blanket folded several times and tied round the neck 

 and chest), with or without a purge and restricted diet. When 

 the heat and tenderness have subsided apply a smart blister 

 over the point of the shoulder, and repeat if lameness persists. 

 In obstinate cases it may be needful to use the hot iron, but 

 only on the outer side of the joint, and never on the point 

 where the collar rests. 



SPRAIN OF THE MUSCLES OUTSIDE THE SHOULDER-BLADE. 



This is a sprain of the muscle which fills up the posterior 

 cavity on the outer side of the shoulder-blade and plays over 

 the outer side of the shoulder-joint (outer tubercle of the head 

 of the humerus). It occurs mainly in young horses when first 

 put to plough, or in others going on uneven ground and step- 

 ping unexpectedly into holes. In the endeavour to recover 

 the equilibrium on stepping into a furrow or hole, this muscle, 

 which forms the outer support of the joint, is injured, and there 

 result heat, swelling, and tenderness on the outside of the joint 

 ind a most characteristic gait. The horse may walk, or even 

 trot, without much apparent lameness, but standing directly in 

 Iront of him the affected shoulder is seen to roll outward from 

 the body to a far greater extent than the sound one. Soon the 

 muscle begins to waste rapidly, and in bad cases the shoulder- 



