56 



THE TRUE SUSPENSION OF THE LEG. 



The ligament last described was within the last decade very 

 generally regarded as the principal suspensory ligament of the 

 leg. It is not so regarded now at head quarters or by those 

 who know that a division of this ligament does not result in 

 letting doivn the limb, while a division of the tendon of the 

 perforans does. The latter, therefore, must be regarded as 

 the true suspensory, and the former has changed its name from 

 suspensory to superior sesamoideal ligament, being named rela- 

 tively to its connections rather than to its supposed functions. 

 I believe, however, that it has a double function, that besides 

 the inferior suspensory power it possesses when the foot is on 

 the ground, that it operates against an undue extension of the 

 limb, especially in rapid action, and that it is admirably 

 adapted for this purpose by its great strength and slightly 

 yielding properties. 



ANTAGONIZING FORCES. 



It seems to me that were there not some antagonizing or 

 controlling force of this kind, in rapid action, the legs would 

 get too much extended, and the body get down too low for 

 the animal to exert his powers to the best advantage. By 

 none of the "locomotive physiologists" have I found this 

 function referred to in the production and contrast of knee 

 action. If this view be correct, this ligament assists the flexors 

 as well as the extensors, by receiving a share of the descending 

 weight during action. Its attachments and properties are 

 eminently adapted for this purpose. I believe, moreover, it is 

 the first to act in the lifting and flexing movement of the leg, 

 and the first to act in limiting or checking the movement of 

 extension and confining that extension within the limits of 

 safety. This question, however, belongs to the region of " loco- 

 motive physiology," which I am content to leave to the great 

 mollahs of the veterinary profession and their curious disser- 

 tations upon the production of knee action. 



