STRAINS. 317 



is plethoric and full of corn. Then apply a double fold of thick 

 flannel or serge, dipped iu warm water, to the whole surface of the 

 loins, cover this over with a layer of indiarubber sheeting, and let 

 it remain on, taking care to renew the water if it has become dry. 

 It generally produces a copious sweating from the part, followed 

 by a slight irritation of the skin, both of which afford relief. In 

 three or four days the flannel may be removed, and the embroca- 

 tion alluded to above rubbed in two or three times a day, which 

 will generally relieve the muscles so much that at the end of a 

 week or ten days the horse is able to move quietly about in a 

 loose box, and the cure may be left to time, aided by a charge on 

 the back. 



STRAIN OF THE SHOULDER. 



Shoulder strain was formerly very often chosen as the seat 

 of lameness in the fore extremity, solely because the case is so ob- 

 scure that it is beyond the knowledge of the unskilful examiner. 

 Nevertheless, it is by no means so uncommon as is supposed by 

 some writers, and perhaps it may be asserted that it is now more 

 frequently passed over when it really exists, than the reverse. It 

 generally is seated in the serratus magnus, or pectoralis transversus 

 muscles, but it may also occur in the triceps, or, indeed, in almost 

 any of the muscles around the shoulder joint. The symptoms are 

 very peculiar, and cannot well be mistaken by a careful observer 

 who has once seen a case of shoulder lameness. In all other kinds 

 (except the knee), the limb is freely moved while in the air, and 

 no pain is expressed until the foot is about to touch the ground ; 

 but here the lameness is greatest while the knee is being protruded, 

 and the limb is slung forward sideways, in a circular manner, which 

 gives an expression of great imbecility. It also occasions great 

 pain when the foot is lifted and drawn forward by the hand, just 

 as in rheumatism of the part (already described at page 312). 

 When the serratus magnus has been strained by a fall from a drop 

 leap, or the pectoralis transversus by a slip, causing the legs to be 

 widely separated, there is often great obscurity in the case ; but 

 the history of the accident will generally assist in forming a cor- 

 rect diagnosis. The treatment in the early stage will consist in 

 bleeding from the plate vein, to the extent of five or six quarts of 

 blood, followed by fomentations with hot water, if there is much 

 heat and swelling, and giving a dose of physic as soon as the 

 bowels will bear it. When the heat has disappeared, or at once, 

 if there is none, apply the embrocation described at page 315; and 

 if this does not produce relief, add to it one quarter of its bulk of 

 tincture of cantharides. 



STRAINS OF THE KNEE. 

 The knee, unlike its analogue in the human subject (the wrist), 



27* 



