52 



a rupture, by admitting of a slight degree of elongation under 

 extremely trying circumstances. Histologists give the name of 

 ' nuclear' to these yellow elastic fibres. The tendons and 

 faschiae, or tendinous bands, are bundles of filaments of white 

 fibres. The aponeurotic expansions are also filamentous bun- 

 dles of the same material, strips of which interlace each other, 

 and a quantity of reticular connective tissue giving them a bond 

 of union. It is the toughness and inextensibility of white 

 fibrous tissue that render it so serviceable in attaching muscle 

 to bone, and in connecting bones where they articulate with 

 each other. This tissue is but slightly vascular, and contains 

 fewer blood-vessels in the adult than in the young animal. 



AN IMPORTANT ANATOMICAL FACT. 



It is not unimportant to remember that in certain exigencies 

 the division of tendons, faschise, and ligaments is unattended 

 with pain, so that these structures are devoid of sensibility. 

 There is no tissue more easily reproduced ; and the only con- « 

 dition for effectual reunion is, that the divided ends be brought 

 as close together as possible, in order to prevent any increase 

 in the length of the bond of union. Perfect rest of parts is the 

 best means to insure the healing of a cut or torn ligament or 

 tendon. No other means can be adopted to increase the 

 strength of the white fibrous tissue. This is mentioned, be- 

 cause veterinary surgeons still resort to blistering and firing, 

 in the belief that they insure animals from not lacerating liga- 

 ments or tendons a second time. 



THE FLEXOR TENDONS OF THE FOOT. 



The most important tendons of the foot are those which have 

 their insertion in the coffin or pedal bone ; the tendon of the 

 Flexor Pedis Perforans, and that of the Extensor Pedis, and that 

 which is inserted into the coronal bone, the tendon of the Flexor 

 Pedis Perforatus. The latter and the former will be alluded to, 

 for the sake of brevity, as the Flexors, and the other as the 

 Extensor. If we take the Extensor SurTraginis into account, 



