128 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



siipersensitiveness exists. However, supporting weight brings 

 sufficient pressure to bear upon the intlamed and more or less 

 eroded Imnes so that pain is occasioned and lameness results. 



Treatment. — During acute inflammation, absolute quiet is. 

 of course, of first consideration. Cold packs are to be kept in 

 contact with the parts until acute inflammatory symptoms sub- 

 side. The fetlock region is then enveloped with a poultice or an 

 iodin and glycerin combination (iodin one part to seven parts 

 of glycerin) is applied and a dressing of cotton is kept in con- 

 tact with the inflamed region. Following this, a vesicant is em- 

 ployed and the subject is allowed a month's rest. 



Tn sub-acute cases, the entire region .surrounding the pastern 

 is blistered or the actual cautery is used. Line-firing is pref- 

 erable. The subject is given a month or six weeks rest and one 

 may be guided by the presence or absence of lameness as to 

 whether improvement or recovery i.s taking place. 



Old chronic cases, and particularly those where there are con- 

 siderable induration and fibrous organization of tissue surround- 

 ing the joint, are not to be benefited by treatment. 



The chief consideration in handling sesamoiditis is checking 

 inflammation as early as possible and preventing, if this can be 

 done, the erosion of articular surfaces. If destruction of any 

 part of the articular surfaces can be prevented and the patient 

 allowed ample time for complete resolution of the affected parts 

 to occur, permanent relief is possible. 



Fracture of the Proximal Sesamoids. 



Etiology and Occurrence. — Fracture of the proxinud sesa- 

 moid bones is caused l)y violent strain when there exists fragilitas 

 ossenm, or by contusions. The author treated a case where 

 fracture of one sesamoid was occasioned by a horse receiving a 

 puncture wound wherein the sharp end of a steel bar was pro- 

 truding from the ground where it was firmly embedded. The 

 subject in this case was injured while being driven along a 

 country road. Frost^ reports simultaneous fracture of all of the 

 proximal sesamoids occurring in a sixteen-year-old pony. The 



'Fracture of All the Sesamoid Bones, by R. F. Frost, M. R. C. V. S., 

 A. V. D., Rangoon, Burmah, in American Veterinary Review, Vol, 5, p. 362. 



