i8o 



The primary essential of treatment in all cases of sprain is rest, both 

 constitutional and local. The animal should be placed in a comfortable 

 box, and a mild dose of physic should be given. Three or four drachms of 

 aloes will prove of great value, in abating the inflammatory action of tlie 

 injured tissues. The diet should be cooling and laxative ; mashes, oilcake 

 gruel, grass, and carrots, taking the place of corn and hay. In those 

 instances where a severe sprain of a fore limb has been sustained, a shoe 

 with high calkins sometimes appears to be beneficial, in affording rest to the 

 structures at the back of the leg. Slings are seldom necessary, excepting in 

 cases of severe sprain of the hind limbs, or rupture of the suspensory 

 ligament, if the animal will not lie down. 



In the case of a sudden sprain, it is our custom to see that the injured 

 part be assiduously fomented with water at about ioo° F., for an hour or two^ 

 several times daily. After each fomentation, a flannel bandage soaked in a 

 lotion made of tincture of opium one ounce, tincture of arnica one ounce 

 water twelve ounces, may be applied, and again readjusted after each 

 fomentation. When the animal begins to recover, as will probably be the 

 case in a few days, it is our custom to apply a cooling lotion of spirit and 

 acetate of lead, or lotion of chloride of ammonium and nitrate of potassium, 

 the formulas for which we have given in a previous article. Internally, one 

 ounce of bicarbonate of potassium, may be given in the water once daily, for 

 several days. Some practitioners recommend the application of cooling 

 lotions from the outset ; and probably this treatment, when judiciously carried 

 out, may be as effectual as the one we have described above. A favourite 

 method, instead of applying cooling lotions, is that of directing a jet of cold 

 water on to the affected parts, for ten or twenty minutes at a time. In those 

 instances in which the animal has sustained several sprains previously, and 

 has weak legs in consequence, this method of treatment is especialljr 

 useful. 



In the treatment of recent sprains, exercise, we may add, should be 

 strictly prohibited until all pain, heat, lameness, and swelling have abated. 

 In order to promote absorption of the effusion, hand-rubbing, and pressure 

 by means of an elastic bandage, uniformly and carefully, but not too tightly 

 applied, will prove useful. When the animal commences work again, it is 

 advisable to continue the hand-rubbing, should any fulness appear in. 

 consequence. 



Having now concluded our general rem.arks, we may proceed to 

 consider in detail the nature and treatment of the various special kinds of 

 sprain. 



SPRAINS OF THE SUSPENSORY AND CHECK 

 LIGAMENTS. 



The suspensory ligament of the fetlock is a long and powerful brace,, 

 composed of fibrous tissue, and often containing bundles of fleshy fibres in 

 its texture. — (Chauveau.) It is situated behind the canon bone, and between 



