324 



DADD'S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



Atrophy, or Wasting of Muscles in the Region of 

 the Shoulder-blade, (known as Sweeny.) 



Atrophy signifies wasting of muscles, in which diseased parts 

 become notably smaller than those of the natural, without other 

 alteration in texture. The author has had several opportunities 

 of examining horses that have died in consequence of disease or 

 old age, who, during life, were the subjects of what is known as 

 sweeny, and found that the muscles of the shoulder had quite a 

 pale appearance, somewhat resembling those of a calf which had 

 been bled to death. A condensation or wasting of muscular fiber 

 was very apparent; the cellular membrane under the skin had 

 almost disappeared, merely by condensation and contraction of the 

 skin over the region of the parts, which contraction occurs in con- 

 sequence of shrinkage of the muscles beneath the skin. 



A FOUNDERED OB DEAD LAME HORSE. (See p. S3fi.) 



Causes. — As regards the cause of atrophy, it is a well-known 

 fact that inaction of a muscle produces a notable decrease in size. 

 The muscles of laboring men decrease in size whenever, from 

 choice or necessity, the individual leads a sedentary life. A limb 

 kept at rest for any length of time undergoes more or less atrophy 

 (wasting). In some cases, the foot diseases, so common, are of 

 that character as to cause the subjects much pain in progression ; 



