343 



perfect locomotion, it is not in itself usually a cause of shoulder lame- 

 ness. . ' ' Sweenied " shoulders are more often diie to disease l^olow the 

 fetlock than to atfections above the elbow. 



During- rest the animal often carries his leg forward, somewhat 

 analogous to the "pointing" i)osition of navicular disease, though in 

 some cases the painful member drops at the elbow in a semi-flexed 

 position. The backing is sometimes typical, the animal when per- 

 forming it, instead of flexing his shoulder, dragging the whole leg 

 without motion in the uj^per segment of the extremity. The peculiar 

 manner in which the leg is carried forward in the act of walking or 

 trotting is in some instances cliaracteristic of injuries of the shoulder, 

 the power of extension being limited; the whole leg in the act of 

 locomotion is moved forward with a circumflex, swinging motion, 

 which distinguishes this peculiar affection from others. 



With the utmost scrutiny and care the vagueness and uncertainty 

 of the symptoms will contribute tojjerplex and discredit the diagnosis 

 and embarrass the surgeon, and sometimes the expedient is tried of 

 aggravating the symptoms by way of intensifying their significance, 

 and thus rendering them more intelligible. This has been sought by 

 requiring the i)atient to travel on soft plowed ground and compelling 

 him to turn on the affected leg as a pivot, with other motions calculated 

 to betray the locality of the pain. 



It is our conviction that lameness of the shoulder mil in manj" 

 cases disappear with no other p»-escription that that of rest. Pro- 

 vided the lesions occasioning it are not too sevei'e time is all that is 

 required. But the negation of Jetting alone is seldom accepted as a 

 means of doing good, in the place of the active and the positive forms 

 of treatment. This is in accordance with a trait of human nature 

 which is universal, and is unlimited in its applications. Hence there 

 must be something done. In mild cases of shoulder lameness, then, 

 the indications are water, either in the cold douche or by showering, 

 or by warm fomentations. Warm wet blankets are of gi-eat service; 

 and in addition, or as alternative, anodyne liniments, camphor, bella- 

 donna, either in the form of tincture or the oils, are of benefit, and 

 at a later period stimulating friction with suitable mixtures, sweating 

 liniments, blistering compounds, etc., will find their place, and, 

 finally, when necessity demands it, the firing iron and the seton. 



The duration of the treatment must be determined by its effects 

 and the evidence that may be offered of the results following the 

 action of the reparative process. But the great essential condition of 

 cure, and the one without which the possibility of relapse will always 

 remain as a menace, is, as wo have often reiterated in analogous 

 cases, rest., imperatively rest, irrespective of any other prescriptions 

 with which it may be associated. 



Sjyrain of the elboiv muscles. — This injury, whicli fortunately is not 

 very common, is mostly encountered in cities, among heavy draught 



