THE SKELETON. 405 



horse. Altogether treatment of the majority of cases is 

 indicated. 



Section 2. — Injueies and Diseases of Ligaments and 



Muscles. 



Sprain is rupture of some of the fibres of a ligament or 

 tendon. When all give way simultaneously we have to 

 do with complete rupture of a white fibrous band, thus, 

 these conditions so often described separately are simply 

 one and the same, but the latter is an exaggeration of the 

 former. Eeparative inflammation is set up and thus the 

 parts become hard, swollen, hot and painful, and there is 

 a want of free movement of the tendon. Over-tension 

 of some kind is the cause of this state, as when an 

 animal progressing rapidly steps in a deep hole, catches 

 its foot in any place, or bears its weight improperly on 

 the limb. Of course the tendons of the limbs are most 

 frequently the seat of this lesion. Generally some amount 

 of thickening remains after recovery. 



Treatment comprises thorough rest, not only by keep- 

 ing the patient quiet, but sometimes by placing the limb in 

 a favorable posture. In the early stages warm water 

 may be used to relax the parts and lessen pain, but 

 when possible, cold water may be continuously applied, 

 whereby tendency to excessive deposit will be prevented ; 

 and also there will be a certain amount of local anaesthesia 

 produced ; unless the application be continuous, it may as 

 well be left alone. When all heat has subsided in the 

 part it will be advisable to complete the repair by the 

 stimulating action of a blister or even of the actual 

 cautery. 



Sprain of the Fetlock Joint is perhaps the most frequent 

 lesion of this nature. It depends upon excessive diver- 

 gence of the digits, and here mainly falls the stress of all 

 the weight thrown upon the limb. This form of injury 

 is most frequent in working oxen, and presents nothing 

 special in its course and treatment except that it is liable 



