149 



Gangrene is not so common a sequel of wounds as in 

 human surgery, but when it does appear it must be promptly 

 dealt with. 



Traumatic Tetanus often results from punctured 

 wounds, especially of the foot, on horses of a nervous and 

 irritable temperament. Sudden changes of temperature has 

 much to do with the development of this disease. 



STRAINS OR SPRAINS IN GENERAL. 



The term sprain is applied to so many sorts as well as 

 degrees of injuries that it conveys no idea either of the sim- 

 plicity or the gravity of the lesion in any given case. A 

 sprain or strain is usually the result of awkwardness or vio- 

 lence inflicted upon the muscles, tendons and ligaments. 

 The severe and continued exertion required of some horses, 

 and that often before these structures have attained their 

 full strength and solidity, render them very liable to injuries 

 of this kind. 



Some sprains may be so slight (from a false step or such 

 like), as to rupture only a few of the minute fibres, which, 

 arranged in bundles (fasciculi), make up the tendons and 

 muscles, and which by a little rest and attention, passes off 

 as only a temporary inconvenience. Other sprains (so 

 called), may be so severe and extensive as to cause rupture 

 and displacement of the cellular membrane, tendons and 

 ligaments, and all other parts forming the articulation. 

 Sometimes a whole large tendon is involved, with extravasa- 

 tion of blood, which seriously complicates the injury. Thus 

 it may seem that a sprain may be no simple affair, for there 

 are innumerable shades of difference between sprains and 

 sprains, and that a bad sprain may be worse than a fracture. 

 These injuries, beside the effusion into the tissues, are also 

 accompanied by excessive pain, throbbing of the arteries in 

 the locality of the lesion, and severe constitutional symp- 



