266 VETERINARY SURGICAL THERAPEUTICS. 
that a violent muscular contraction may produce the rupture of a sound 
tendon. 
Thirty-four observations of tendinous ruptures recorded by St. Cyr 
in 1854 are classified as follows: Cord of the flexor metatarsi, 21 cases ; 
flexors of the foot, 10; suspensory ligament, 1; tendo Achillis, 1; an- 
terior extensor of the phalanges, 1. Many observations gathered from all 
the clinics can to-day be added to this list. 
Though the paratendinous connective tissue co-operates like the tendon 
itself to the cicatrization of complete or incomplete ruptures generally, 
the prognosis is serious. With tendons of the extremities it is sometimes 
advantageous to destroy the animals at once. If the lesion is protected 
from the air repairs will take place regularly, but months must pass be- 
fore the leg is again useful. Injuries of the flexor tendons are more seri- 
ous than of the extensors. If suppuration occurs necrosis of the tendon 
is to be feared, and the prognosis is still more serious. 
The treatment of tendinous ruptures demands three principal precau- 
tions: (1) Give to the leg the position in which the ends of the tendon 
are closest to each other; (2) insure the steadiness of the parts by a 
‘special apparatus or solid bandage of plaster or pitch; (3) give the animal 
a long rest. Treatment is justified only when the rupture is free from 
previous degenerations. After recovery the tendon is generally elongated 
and locomotion more or less interfered with. In time these are remedied 
and perfect health returns. Here again the ideal form of treatment 
would be to expose the traumatic center and sew up the stumps of ten- 
dons. For certain tendons, if the operation were performed aseptically 
and completed with a plaster dressing or a special apparatus, it might 
give good results. A few attempts have been made in this direction, but 
up to this time have proved unsuccessful. 
SPECIAL TENDINOUS RUPTURES. 
L—Tendon of the Infra-Spinatus. 
This, though extremely rare, has been observed by Bouley at the Alfort 
Clinic, on two horses cast for surgical purposes.'. It was characterized 
“by a marked deviation of the scapula and humerus at their point of 
juncture. When the leg was put down, both bones made an angle pro- 
jecting well outwards.” 
Bouley says one need not worry much over the seriousness of the 
accident. Place the animal in a sling, and apply a blister over the part, is 
the treatment required. The union of the two ends cannot but take 
place, 
} Bouley, Bullet, Soc. Cent. Med. Vet. 1864, p. 392. 
