SWELLED LEGS. 275 



THE HIND LEG. 



The construction of the hind leg*, and the injuries to which it is subject, 

 are so simihir to those of the fore leg, that we shall content ourselves 

 with referring to our description of them given at page 243, only observing 

 that the shank bone is longer than that of the fore leg ; the outer splint 

 bone is considerably larger than the inner one, and the pasterns are longer 

 than those of the fore leg, and less oblique. 



On the back part of the leg (/, page 262) are sometimes excrescences, 

 called by farriers rat-tails, from the appearance they give the hair. 

 They will generally yield to the mild mercurial ointment, but in very bad 

 cases it may be necessary to remove them with a knife. 



Before we quit the legs, we must notice two frequent and very troublesome 

 diseases. The first is 



SWELLED LEGS 



The fore legs are sometimes subject to considerable enlargement, but 

 much oftener the hind ones. Occasionally when the horse does not 

 seem to labour under any other disease, and sometimes from an ap- 

 parent shifting of inflammation from other parts, (inflammation of the lungs 

 or the eye not unfrequently thus changes its seat,) the hind legs suddenly 

 swell to an enormous degree from the hock, and almost from the stifle to 

 the fetlock, attended by heat, and extreme tenderness of the skin, and 

 excessive and very peculiar lameness. The pulse hkewise becomes quick 

 and hard, and the horse evidently labours under considerable fever. It is 

 acute inflammation of the cellular substance of the legs, and that most 

 sudden in its attack, most violent in its decree, and therefore attended 

 by the pouring out of a great deal of fluid, in this cellular substance. 

 It occurs in young horses, and in those which are over-fed and little 

 exercised, without previous inflammation in any other part. Fomentation, 

 diuretics, or physic, or, if there be much fever, a moderate bleeding, will 

 often relieve the distention almost as suddenly as it appeared. 



The kind of swelled legs, most frequent of occurrence, and most trou- 

 blesome, is of a diflferent nature, or rather it is so various in its kind 

 and causes, and consequences and mode of treatment, that it deserves 

 attentive consideration. One principle, however, will guide us to a right 

 opinion and treatment of it, — that it is produced either by actual or compa- 

 rative debility or loss of power in the jjart attacked. Horses seemingly 

 in perfect health, and with a full allowance of food, if suffered to remain 

 several days without exercise, will have swelled legs. The arterial capillary 

 vessels have conveyed a great deal of fluid to the extremities; — from 

 over-feeding and want of muscular exertion and the perspiration connected 

 with it, the fluids have accumulated, and are lodging in the extremities, 

 because the vessels have not power to return them. The heart is acting 

 upon an additional quantity of fluid, while, by the want of exercise, the 

 limbs are deprived of the principal power by which the fluids are returned ; 

 for the blood is materially assisted in its return through the veins by the 

 action of the muscles, and the absorbents are roused to action by the 

 exercise and motion of the different parts. The cure, therefore, is suffici- 

 ently plain: by physic or diuretics, the quantity of the fluid is lessened, and 

 by exertion increasing the perspiration it is likewise diminished, and, what 

 is more important, both the veins and the absorbents are assisted in their 

 action. 



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