RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 149 



SHOULDERSLIP (Sweeney) 



Shoulderslip, or as it is generally termed "Sweeny", is rather a 

 common accident in young farm horses, especially among those em- 

 ployed in breaking new land containing bush or tree roots. The shoul- 

 der muscles are sprained and as a result wasting (atrophy) of the outer 

 muscles takes place, and the animal is then said to be SWEENIED. 

 This affection is easy to diagnose when once the wasting has occurred. 

 The treatment is necessarily of long duration owing to the damage to 

 the muscle cells. The wasted muscles usually take months to fill out. 

 In the early stages bathing with hot water. Elk's Vesicant, or better, 

 injecting 10 drops of turpentine in various parts of the Sweeny, will 

 usually give the desired results. Rest, the use of a breast collar and 

 avoidance of the cause will also aid in recovery. 



Wasting of these muscles may result from rheumatism or chest 

 founder (navicular disease). 



SORE SHOULDER AND COLLAR GALLS 



These are very common on the farm and can best be jHevented bv 

 having collars and harnesses that fit. A very good method is, on return 

 ing a horse to the stable, to loosen the back pad, collar, or saddle, lift up 

 and replace, leaving there for 15 to 30 minutes. The reason for so 

 doing is that the parts under the harness are quite hot, and if the gear 

 is removed at once the parts become chilled and a congested swelling 

 results, unless a brisk rubbing is given the parts. The use of a strong 

 solution of alum and water, or salt and water, to the shoulders after 

 removal of the harness will serve to toughen the parts. If sores result, 

 they should be treated as ordinary wounds. In some cases they arc 

 slow to heal, e. g., at the top of the neck, in that case needing the stimu- 

 lating effects of some blistering material to increase the blood supply 

 (o the parts, while the chronic sores of the shoulder often take on a 

 hard, toughened appearance, being termed "sitfasts". Such a condi- 

 tion must be removed with the knife and treated with a solution of 

 Lotio Vita. 



A sudden swelling often results from the use of a collar too small. 

 It is not an abscess containing pus, but a swelling containing serum, 

 which on being let out resembles bloody water. Such cases must be 

 opened at the most dependent parts and syringed daily with a solution 

 of 1 part of bichloride of mercury to 1,000 parts of water. If left 

 alone they get hard and are a continual cause of sore shoulder, eventu- 

 ally calling for the knife, and if neglected may cause infection (blood 

 poison) . 



