BONES DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS. 283 



and bones. A sprain is the result of a sudden forcing of a-joint in an 

 unnatural direction; or, if in a natural direction, beyond the power of 

 the ligament or tendon to properly restrain it, so that part of the fibers 

 of either are ruptured. When such an accident occurs pain is imme- 

 diately inflicted, varying in degree with the extent of the injury, which 

 is soon followed by swelling, with more or less heat and tenderness. 

 If the seat of the injury be in any of the limbs lameness is likely to be 

 the result. Of the causes of sprain, slipping on ice or a wet floor, 

 playing or fighting with another animal are the most common. 



Sprain of the shoulder joint. This is likely to occur from any of the 

 eauses mentioned above or from the animal slipping suddenty in a rut 

 or hole. When such an accident occurs sudden lameness will attract 

 attention. The animal will be noticed to drag the leg when walking, 

 at each step carrying it in a circular direction, outward and forward. 

 The leg should be carefully examined, pressure over the joint causing 

 the animal to evince pain. If the person making the examination is in 

 doubt it is well to make a comparison between the shoulders by press- 

 ing first on one and then the other. After such an accident the animal 

 should be tied up so as to limit as far as possible the use of the injured 

 joint. Soft food -should be given with a view to keeping the bowels 

 acting freely. The first part of the treatment may consist of an appli- 

 cation of extract of witch-hazel twice a day, freely applied around the 

 injury. Should the lameness continue after the tenth day good results 

 will be obtained from the application of a blister, which should be done 

 by carefully clipping the hair off over the joint, including a surface of 

 4 or 5 inches in circumference, and rubbing in the following preparation : 



Powdered eantharides ^ ounce. 



Spirits of turpentine 2 drums. 



Vaseline 1$ ounce. 



The animal's head should be carefully tied to prevent licking the 

 blister until the third day. The blistered surface should then be 

 smeared with lard or vaseline every other day until the scabs fall off. 

 Gentle exercise should be allowed after the fourth or fifth day from the 

 application of tho blister. If the lameness still remains the blister may 

 be repeated in three weeks or a month. 



Sprain of the Fetlock. This may occur from misstep when the animal 

 is moving rapidly and the twisting or wrenching of the foot is Miflicicnt 

 to partially rupture the ligaments which bind the bones together at 

 that part. Such an accident also frequently occurs from the foot becom- 

 ing lash-iied in a hole in the lloor, and the wrenching is the result of 

 the animal's attempt to liberate it. Lameness, followed by swelling of 

 the joint and pain when it is handled, or when the animal moves the 

 joint, and heat, are the more noticeable symptoms. If the sprain be 

 very severe the animal occasionally does not bear its weight on tho 

 limb. Careful bathing with eold water, followed by the application of 

 extract of witch-hazel or tincture of arnica and careful bandaging should 



