351 



of the patient; the natural opposition of the animal, sometimes ill- 

 tempered and fractious at best, under the necessary restraint, causing 

 at times much embarrassment to the practitioner in applying the 

 necessary treatment. Without the necessary immobility no close 

 connection of the ends of the tendons can be secured. To fulfill this 

 necessary condition the j)osterior part of the foot and the fetlock must 

 1)0 suppo' ted and the traction j^erformed bj' them relieved, an object 

 which can be attained by the use of the high-heeled and bar shoo, or 

 possibly better accomplished with a shoe of the same kind extending 

 about 2 or 2^ inches back of the heels. The i^erfect immobilitj' of the 

 legs is obtained in the same way as in the treatment of fracture, with 

 splints, bandages, iron apparatus, plasters of adhesive mixtures, and 

 similar means. So long as the dressings remain in place undisturbed, 

 and no chafing or other evidence of pain is present, the dressings 

 may be continued without changing, the patient being kept in the 

 slings for a period sufficient to insure the perfect union of the tendons. 

 But for a compound lesion, when there is laceration of the skin, some 

 special care is necessary. The wound must bo carefully watched and 

 the dressings removed at intei'vals of a few days, or as often as may 

 be needful, all of which additional manipulation and extra nursing, 

 however indisi^onsablo, still adds to the gravity of the case and ren- 

 ders the prognosis more and more serious. When the tendons have 

 sloughed in threads of various dimensions, or if in the absence of 

 this process of mortification healthy granulations should form and fill 

 uj) the Avound, still very careful attention will 1)0 required, the gran- 

 ulating ends of the tendons having a tendencj^ to bulge between the 

 edges of the skin and to assume large dimensions, forming bulky 

 excrescences or growths of a Avartj' or cauliflower appearance, the 

 removal of which becomes a troublesome matter. 



Tlie union of the tendons will at times leave a thickening of varj'^- 

 iug degree near the point of cicatrization,, the absorption of which 

 becomes an object of difficult and doubtful accomplishment, but 

 which may be promoted l)y moderate Ijlistering and the use of altera- 

 tive and absorbent mixtures or perhaps the fire iron, A shoe with 

 heels somewhat higher than usual will prove a comfort to the animal 

 and aid in moderating and relieving the tension of the tendons. 



Rupture of the flexor metatarsi. — This is a muscle of the anterior 

 part of the shank. It is situated in front of the tibia, and is of pecul- 

 iar formation, being composed of a muscular portion with a very 

 powerful tendon, which are at first distinct and separate, to bo inti- 

 mately united lower down, and terminating at the lower end by a 

 di%ision into four tendinous bands. It is a powerful muscle of the 

 hinder shank bone, and also acts as a strong means of support for 

 the stifle joint, that is, of the articulation of the thigh and shank bone, 

 in front and outside of which it passes. Its situation and its use 

 cause it to be liable to severe stretcliiug and straining, and a rupture 

 of some of its fibers is sometimes the consequence. 



