LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 129 



condition is of rather common occurrence in some countries be- 

 cause of tlie fragile condition of horses' bones. 



Symptomatology. — If the parts can be examined before ex- 

 travasation of l)lo()d and swelling mask the condition, crepita- 

 tion may be detected. In other instances, it is possible to note a 

 displacement of parts of the sesamoid bones — this in horizontal 

 fracture. There occurs more or less descent of the fetlock which 

 must not be attributed to rupture of the superficial tlexor tendon 

 (perforatus). By outlining the course of this tendon with the 

 fingers, when it is passively tensed sufficiently to follow its course, 

 one may exclude rupture of the superficial flexor. Finding the 

 suspensory ligament intact from its origin to the sesamoid at- 

 tachments, one may also eliminate rupture of this structure as 

 a cause of the trouble. Needless to say, marked lameness and 

 swelling of the fetlock soon take place. The condition is painful, 

 and ordinarily, recovery is impossil)le. 



Treatment. — Where treatment is attempted, immobilization 

 as in luxation is in order. The patient's comfort is sought, and 

 if the fractured parts can be kept in close proximity, their union 

 may occur in time. However, chances for partial recovery 

 (which is the best to be hoped for) are so remote that early de- 

 struction of the subject is the humane and economical thing to 

 do. 



Where treatment is instituted, it is found that there is required 

 a long time for union of the fractured bones to occur (where 

 union does take place) and the cost of treatment together with 

 the uncertainty of even partial recovery, makes for an unfavor- 

 able outcome. When the best possi])le results succeed treatment, 

 a large callosity is formed and movement of the pastern joint 

 is restricted. Lameness, though not intense, in the case referred 

 to, where one bone was broken, was i)ermanent and the subject 

 was out of service for nearly a year. 



Inflammation of the Posterior Ligaments of the Pastern (Prox- 

 imal Interphalangeal) Joint. 



Anatomy. — The ligaments here involved are the four vohir 

 ligaments described by Sisson^ as follows: "The volar ligaments 



>The Anatomy of the Domestic Animal, by Septimus Sisson, S. B., V. S. 



