28 SPKAINS. 



If all our efforts j^rove unavailing to render the part sound, we 

 may fire deeply, either by puncture or line; but should do so only 

 when all reparative action has apparently ceased, say, not sooner 

 than two months after the accident. If any heat remains, the 

 part should be cooled down by means of cold applications before 

 using the firing iron. 



After the part has recovered from the injury as far as circum- 

 stances admit, the owner can exercise his own judgment in bringing 

 the horse on to work again, giving corn, using bandages, etc. I 

 shall refer to this subject more fully on pages 44 et seq. 



It is important to remember that the gravity of a sprain is largely 

 dependent on the conformation of the leg; for the stronger a part 

 naturally is, the more likely is it to recover from injury. 



On the Continent, sprains (for instance, of the shoulder and back 

 tendons) have been successfully treated by means of subcutaneous 

 injections (p. 633) of from 1 to IJ drachms of oil of turpentine, 

 which sets up intense inflammation in the part; but the heat and 

 swelling usually begin to subside in about a week. 



Sprain of the Suspensory Ligament. 



ANATOMY OF THE SUSPENSOKY LiaAMEN^T.— The suspensory 

 ligament (Figs. 5 and 6) is a strong and practically inelastic fibrous cord which 

 lies at the back of, and close to, the cannon bone. It originates at the head 

 of the cannon bone and at the lower row of the small bones of the knee (Fig. 

 8). It runs down the groove formed by the two splint bones, for about two- 

 thirds of the length of the cannon bone, then divides into two branches, which 

 become attached to the summits of the sesamoid bones — that lie at the back of 

 the fetlock joint (Fig. 9) — and extend downwards and forwards. These 

 branches unite in front of and at about the middle of the pastern, and become 

 attached to the tendon of the muscle which extends the foot (Fig. 7). 



The presence of muscular fibres in the suspensory ligament points to the 

 fact of its possessing a certain, though probably very slight, amount of 

 elasticity. The suspensory ligament acts as a powerful brace for preventmg 

 the fetlock from coming down too near the ground. 



THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT IN HEALTH.— On taking a 

 side-view of a " clean " leg of a horse (vide Frontispiece), we ought 

 to see the suspensory ligament rising just above the fetlock joint, 

 between the cannon bone and back tendons, and extending nearly 

 two-thirds of the way up to the knee. The skin should cover it 

 closely, and it should stand clear and well-defined between bone 

 and tendon, as if it were cast in a mould, so that the leg, from knee 

 to fetlock, will have a fluted appearance. When there is difficulty 

 in marking the course of this ligament with the eye or with the 

 hand, according as the leg is free from long hair, or is "well 

 feathered,^' we may doubt the capability of the leg for standing con- 

 tinued fast work. 



