Rjipture of the Prepiibian Tendon 437 



prepubian tendon, to give way. No edema or other evidence of 

 disease preceded the accident. 



Almost always there can be no reasonable presumption of 

 accident, the rupture being what we may designate as spontane- 

 ous and usually comparatively gradual, frequently being pre- 

 ceded for days or weeks by premonitory warnings. 



The disease may be more common in draft mares than in those 

 of lighter breed, but, as our experience has been largely with 

 the former class, the grounds for comparison are not conclusive. 

 We have observed the lesion most frequently in idle mares which 

 were well fed. 



The first symptom noticed is an extensive edema of the ab- 

 dominal floor, beginning just in front of the mammary gland and 

 extending thence forward and backward until it reaches from the 

 anterior pectorial region to the perineum, covering the entire 

 floor of the body for a depth of 2 to 4 inches. The edema pre- 

 sents the usual clinical characters, except that it is possibly 

 somewhat firmer than generally .seen and somewhat more inclined 

 to be painful to the touch. 



The exact relationship of the edema to the rupture of the 

 tendon is undetermined, our observation leading us to believe 

 that the former is an expression of serious degenerative changes 

 which are taking place in the deeper parts. The edema appar- 

 ently involves the tendon itself from the first and diminishes its 

 resisting powers by forcing the fibers apart, as well as weakening 

 them directly. 



The movements of the patient soon become restricted to such 

 locomotion as is essential, and this is marked by care and delib- 

 eration. The restriction of movement may be partly due to the 

 mechanical impediment of the edema, but it appears rather to 

 result from pain and a premonition of injury. 



This restriction of motion generally precedes the rupture of the 

 tendon and is increased as the rupture extends. 



Should the tendon remain intact until relieved of its excessive 

 load through parturition, the edema quickly disappears and the 

 parts become normal, but in many cases the tendon gives way 

 before the foal is born. The mare then succumbs or, recovering, 

 is ruined in value. The foal generally perishes. 



When the tendon begins to part between the two abdominal 

 rings, characteristic symptoms arise which serve to distinguish 



