352 



Tliis uiay be the result of a violent eifort of the animal in leaping 

 over a high obstacle; in missing his foothold and suddenly slipping 

 backwards while powerfully grasping the ground with the feet in 

 striving to start a heavily loaded vehicle; or in making a violent effort 

 to prevent a j)robable fall. 



The accident is immediately followed by disability which will vary 

 both as to the true seat of the injury and the period of its duration. 

 This rupture will not i^revent the horse from standing perfectly and 

 firmly on his feet when kept at rest, and while no muscular efforts are 

 required from him there is no appearance of any lesion or unsound- 

 ness. An attempt to move him backwards, however, will cause him to 

 throw all his weight upon his hind quarters, and he will refuse to raise 

 his foot from the ground. If compelled to do so, or required to move 

 forward, the hock being no longer capable of flexion, the muscle which 

 effects that movement being the injured one, the opposite muscles, 

 the extensors, acting freely, the entire lower part of the leg, from the 

 hock down, will be suddenly, with a jerk, extended over the tibia 

 or shank bone, and simultaneously with this the tendo-achilles, the 

 cord of the hock, the tendons of the extensors of the hock will be put 

 in an excessively relaxed condition. Examination of the fore part of 

 the shank from the stifle down to the hock may reveal soreness, and 

 possibly some swelliiig and heat at the seat of the lesion. 



Our experience with injuries of this form satisfies us that, gener- 

 ally speaking, they are amenable to treatment. Very few instances 

 have come to our knowledge in which radical recovery has not been 

 obtained, provided a sufficient time has been allowed for cicatrization 

 to take place. 



In these cases, as in those alread}^ considered of simple laceration 

 of tendons, the indications resemble those which apply in the treat- 

 ment of fractures; as near a coaptation of the lacerated ends as pos- 

 sible, with immobility, being the necessarj^ objects to secure. The 

 first is a matter of very difficult accomplishment, by bandaging alone, 

 and some have recommended instead the application of charges or 

 blisters. To these we strongly object from their liability to cause 

 irritation and to allow of excessive movement, both circumstances 

 being unfavorable in their influence and hindering the action of the 

 reparative powers. 



To secure the necessary immobility the animal should be placed in 

 slings snugly applied, and kept in a narrow stall. lie should also be 

 tied short, and restrained from s,ny backward movement by ropes or 

 boards, and he should moreover be kept in as quiet a temper as pos- 

 sible by the exclusion of all causes of irritation or excitement. Weeks 

 must then elapse, not less, but frequently more than six, often eight, 

 before he can be considered out of danger and able to return to his 

 labor, which should for a time be light and easy, and gradually, if 

 ever, increased to the measure of a thoroughlj^ sound and strong 

 animal. 



