180 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



grow, they sometimes produce lameness by stretching 

 the covering of the bone, which however soon accommo- 

 dates itself to the altered structure. 



Cause. — Working horses when too young, and before 

 the leg and splint bone have become united. Hence, 

 splints disappear when the horse grows older, and the 

 unity of these bones take place. 



Treatment. — One or two applications of the ointment 

 of red iodide of mercury, or tincture of Spanish fly, one 

 ounce; oil of croton, twenty drops. Mix, and apply 

 with rubbing. 



Sprains. — By this term is meant partial displacement, 

 twisting of a joint with more or less injury to the articu- 

 lations, ligaments, tendons and their sheaths, and even 

 small portions of the bones of the joint are separated. 

 Indeed, every variety and degree of severity is to be seen 

 in sprains of different parts. Every joint is liable to 

 sprain, but the usual or more common sprains will be 

 found in the pastern or fetlock joint, shoulder and its 

 joint, hock, stifle, back and loins^ flexor tendon, suspen- 

 sory ligaments, etc., produced by a common cause, slip- 

 ping, falling, and over work, and the weight of the body, 

 and not unfrequently the load falling upon a part, when 

 not in its proper position for receiving it. 



Symptoms. — Pain, heat, swelling, tenderness and lame- 

 ness, more or less severe, depending on the severity of 

 the sprain, and the part affected. In severe sprains, 

 care must be taken to guard against mistakes, and to 

 form a correct judgment of the nature of the injury, 

 whether it be a real or simple sprain, or whether there be 

 fracture or dislocation. 



Treatment. — Absolute and entire rest, is the principa 

 point to be attended to in the cure of sprains, for no 



