346 THE FARM DOCTOR. 



animal walks on the toe and a thin-heeled one when he walks 

 on his heel. If there is very active inflammation adopt sooth- 

 ing measures first and then blister severely or even fire. Cor- 

 rosive sublimate and camphor 20 grains of each, muriatic acid 

 10 drops and oil of turpentine i oz. is often useful in such 

 cases, but should be watched and washed off when sufficient 

 exudation has taken place, otherwise it may blemish. In firing 

 it is usually desirable to penetrate the skin in points, but never 

 keep the hot iron long in contact with it lest the radiated heat 

 destroy the integument. It is often needful to allow a rest of 

 several months for consolidation of the new deposit. When the 

 joints are much affected the only cure is by the growth of 

 bone over them and the abolition of movement, and then there 

 remains some stiffness though there may be ability for slow 

 work. Old horses recover less satisfactorily than young ones. 

 If there is reason to suspect a rheumatic complication or any 

 general fault in nutrition these must be attended to. 



SPRAIN OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS BEHIND THE PASTERN. 



This is of two kinds, though both in almost the same seat. 

 Opposite the first pastern joint the posterior tendon divides 

 into two branches, which passing over the inner and outer sides 

 of the other tendon are inserted on the corresponding aspects 

 of the head of the small pastern bone. Between these branches 

 the other tendon plays over a raised fibro-cartilaginous pulley, 

 its gliding being. favoured by a synovial sac. This last tendon 

 may be sprained as it plays over this pulley, in the median line 

 of the back of the limb, and either of the branches of the other 

 tendon may be sprained close to its attachment on the inner 

 or outer side of this pulley. 



Symptoms. — Standing quiet tlie animal keeps the fetlock and 

 pastern joints slightly flexed, the foot advanced six or eight 

 inches, the heel slightly raised and the toe resting on the ground 

 In action he steps short and stubs the toe into the ground, and 



