136 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



because of monientiiin gained at a rai)id j)aee, are exciting- 

 causes of tendinitis. 



Symptomatolog-y. — In all cases of acute tendinitis there is 

 presented a characteristic attitude by the subject. Volar flexion 

 in a sufficient degree to relax the inflamed structures is always 

 evident. The foot may be rested on the toe or placed slightly 

 in advance of the one supporting weight, l)ut the fetlock is al- 

 ways thrown forward. More or less swelling of the inflamed 

 tendons is present. Where the deep flexor (perforans) is in- 

 volved swelling is marked and with swelling there is present 

 the other symptoms of inflammation — heat and supersensitive- 

 ness. 



In manipulating tendons for the purpose of detecting super- 

 sensitiveness, care must be taken so that no false conclusion 

 be drawn, because of the aversion many horses have to sul^nit- 

 ting to palpation of the tendons even when they are in a normal 

 condition. 



Supporting-leg-lameness is present and varies in degree with 

 the intensity of the pain caused by weight bearing. In many 

 instances, as soon as the subject has traveled a consideralile dis- 

 tance, lameness diminishes or discontinues. As soon as the af- 

 fected animal is permitted to stand long enough to "cool out" 

 there is a return of the lameness, which is then marked. 



No ditflculty is encountered in making a practical diagnosis 

 in tendinitis ; that is, one may fail to readily recognize the ex- 

 tent of the involvement as it affects the superficial flexor tendon, 

 for instance, but this has no {practical liearing on the prognosis 

 and treatment, when existing inflannnation of the deep flexor is 

 recognized. 



The course of each tendon is readily outlined by palpation ; 

 all ])arts are easily manipulated ; and with experience one may 

 readily i-ecognize the extent and degree of the inflammation. 



Treatment. — In some cases of acute tendinitis, pain is intense 

 and Ihc application of cold i)acks during this stage is very 

 t)eneficial in that ])ain is controlled and inflannnation subsides. 

 The extremity may be bandaged with a liberal quantity of ab- 

 sor])ent cotton or with woolen material. Ice water is then poured 



