THE nOBSE AND ITS DISEASES. 161 



attended with a degree of inflammation. Wlien they arc 

 seated in the middle part of the shank-hone, they are 

 less painful and dangerous than when they are formed 

 on the back parts of them ; and when near the joints, 

 they are more productive of lameness. 



Cure. — In young horses, splints sometimes disappear 

 of their own accord, being absorbed by a natural action 

 of the vessels, bnt the result should never be depended 

 upon ; the most effectual remedy is the following : — 



Benedoid of Mercury 1 drachm . 



Iodine 1 ,, 



Spanish Flies 30 grains. 



Lard 1 ounce. 



Mixed together, and rubbed in, three minutes every day, 

 for eight days, and also fomented with very hot water, 

 half an hour every day, before the ointment is rubbed in. 

 The above treatment cannot be surpassed. 



Strain in the Back Sinews. 



These tendons are enclosed in a sheath of dense 

 cellular substance, in order to confine them in their 

 situation, and to defend them from injury between the 

 tendon on the sheath, there is a mucous fluid to prevent 

 friction ; but when the horse has been over- worked, or 

 put to sudden and violent exertion, the tendon presses 

 upon the delicate membrane lining the sheath, and 

 inflammation is produced ; a different fluid is then thrown 

 out which coagulates, and adhesions are formed between 

 the tendon, and the sheath, and the motion of the limb 

 is more difficult and painful. At other times, from 

 violent or long continued exertion, some of the fibres 

 which confine the tendons are ruptured. A slight injury 

 of this nature is called a sprain of the back sinews or 

 tendons, and when it is more serious, the horse is said 

 to have broken down. 



It should be remembered, however, that the tendons 

 can never be sprained, because they are inelastic and 



