SPRAINS OF TENDONS, LIGAMENTS AND MUSCLES. 283 



cedure suffices to effect a speedy cure. Heat, swelling and tender- 

 ness are pronounced characteristics of sprained tendons; in muscles 

 the swelling is not so distinctly observable, but instead are soft 

 and pulpy to the touch, and if not properly treated this condition 

 is sometimes succeeded by an absolute loss of substance, hence the 

 wasting which is at times observable in the muscles of the fore 

 arms and thighs after violent injury; the fibrillae or constituent 

 elements of the muscle have in all probability been ruptured cross- 

 wise; inflammation being set up, a fluid exudate is, consequent 

 thereupon, thrown out and degeneration of the elements follows 

 which interferes with the function of contractility. 



lyameness of the hind limbs from spra'in of the psoas muscles 

 is no uncommon condition among all classes of horses. The 

 psoas muscles are situated internally, under the spinal column; 

 they originate about opposite the last ribs and extend in a back- 

 ward direction to be attached to the pelvis, one of their functions 

 being to draw the hind legs forward; injury to either of these 

 muscles renders it very difficult for a horse that is down to rise, 

 hence the necessity of using slings for an animal in this condition 

 to avoid the risk involved by allowing it to assume the recumbent 

 position; a horse with such an injury can manage to stand without 

 any fear of aggravation, but when very severe it is no uncommon 

 thing for knuckling over at the fetlock joints to take place, furn- 

 ishing additional reason for putting the animal into slings. 



An animal suffering from injury to these muscles will stand 

 with the hind legs wider apart than usual and, when called upon 

 to walk, evinces considerable loss of power to bring either one or 

 both legs forward, depending, of course, upon whether the mus- 

 cles of both sides are affected; the animal is unable to proper!}- 

 lift its foot off the ground and drags it along in a helpless, uncer- 

 tain manner, while there is a distinct tendency to knuckle over at 

 the fetlock joint. Confirmation of the precise seat of the injury 

 may be obtained by examining the parts, namely, per rectum; let 

 the bare arm, which should first be lubricated with carbolized oil, 

 be introduced as far as possible up the rectum, when heat, con- 

 siderable tenderness and possibly some swelling will be detected; 

 in very severe cases swelling is sometimes observable externallj- 

 at the anus. The best treatment for these cases, after putting the 

 horse in slings, is to apply hot fomentations to the loins by means 



