330 



ancl in some cases even firing. Kest, in the stable or in a box stall, will 

 be of advantage by promoting the absorption of whatever plastic exu- 

 dation may have formed, or the absorption may be stimulated by the 

 careful and persevering application of iodine in the form of ointments 

 of various degrees of strength. 



There are many conditions in which not only the muscular and tendi- 

 nous structures jproper are affected by a sprain, but, by contiguity of 

 partSj the periosteum of neighboring bones may become involved, with 

 a complication of periostitis and its sequelae. 



Lameness ofthesJiouJder. — The frequency of the occurrence of lame- 

 ness in the shoulder from sprains entitled it to precedence of mention in 

 our present category. For, though so well covered with its muscular 

 envelope, it is often the seat of injuries which, from the complex struc- 

 ture of the region, become difficult to diagnosticate with satisfactory 

 precision and facility. The flat bone which forms the skeleton of that 

 region is articulated in a comparatively loose manner with the bone of 

 the arm, but the joint is, notwithstanding, rather solid, and is i)ower- 

 fully strengthened by tendons i)assiug outside, inside, and in front of 

 it. Still, shoulder lameness or sprain may exist, originating in lacera- 

 tions of the mucles, the tendons or the ligaments of the joint, or per- 

 haj)s in diseases of the bones themselves. " Slip of the shoulder " is a 

 phrase frequently applied to such lesions. 



The identification of the particular structures involved in these 

 lesions is of much importance, in view of its bearing upon the question 

 of i^roguosis. For example, while a simple sui^erficial injury of the 

 spinatus muscles, or of the muscles by which the leg is attached to the 

 trunk, may not be of serious import and may readily yield to treatment, 

 or even recover spontaneously and without interference, the condition 

 is quite changed when a case of tearing of the flexor brachii, or of its 

 tendons as they pass in front of the articulation occurs, or, what is still 

 more serious, if there is inflammation or ulceration in the groove over 

 which this tendon slides, or upon the articular surfaces or their sur- 

 rouudiugs or jjeriostitis at any point adjacent. 



The frequency of attacks of shoulder lameness is not difllcult to ac- 

 count for. The superficial and unprotected position of the part, and 

 the numerous movements of which it is capable, and which in fact it 

 performs, render it both subjectively and objectively preeminently lia- 

 ble to accident or injury. It would be difficult, nor would it materially 

 avail, to enumerate all the forms of violence by which the shoulder may 

 be crippled. A fall, accompanied by powerful concussion ^ a violent 

 muscular contraction in starting a heavily loaded vehicle from a stand- 

 still; a misstep following a quick muscular effort; ajumj) accompanied 

 by miscalculated results in alighting; a slip on a smooth, icy road j 

 balling the feet with snow; colliding with another horse or other ob- 

 ject — indeed, the list might be indefinitely extended, but it would be 

 without profit or utility. Some of the symptoms of shoulder lameness 



