TENDINOUS RUPTURES. 297 
The rupture of this tendon is always possible, but it is principally 
produced by any violent traumatic action applied on the shoulder, on a 
level with the tendon. We may remark that the two cases reported by 
Bouley were more likely to be paralysis of the sus-scapular nerve, than 
lesion of the tendons. The functional troubles described were those of 
such paralysis, and no /ocal symptoms are described which must have been 
present, if there was a tendinous lesion. The result of the experimental 
section of the tendon, made to confirm Bouley’s diagnosis, does not prove 
it; both section and paralysis being accompanied with the same symptoms. 
IT.— Cord of the Flexor Metatarst. 
Of all tendinous ruptures, this is the most frequent and the most 
studied. The ordinary causes of the accident and the troubles that it 
produces are well indicated by Solleysel. ‘From a struggle while in 
stocks, from an effort while being shod or in going down a very steep hill, 
from fall, or from being entangled under a heavy load, the dig nerve of 
the hock may stretch and twist with so great a force, that it becomes soft 
and relaxed as a loose cord; when the animal walks, the leg hangs on the 
hock, loose, as if it were suspended. One might believe that the bone is 
fractured, so greatly is the action of the leg different from the normal ; 
when the animal rests its foot upon the ground and the hock is extended 
to its natural extent, the standing of the foot is good; there seems to be 
but little or nothing out of the way.” 
Although Solleysel well indicated the causes and symptoms of this 
affection, he was ignorant of its nature; for he thought the lesion con- 
sisted in a stretching and elongation of the tendon Achilles. The observa- 
tions of Barthelemy, Bouley, Jr., and Renault have since explained the 
character and the diagnosis. Rigot explained the mechanism of the 
accident by experimental sections of the cord of the flexor metatarsi. 
Vatel, Feslat and Furlanetto have recorded observations in the case 
of - cattle. 
The rupture of the tibio-pre-metatarsal muscle takes place at various 
points of its length; sometimes at its femoral insertion, between the 
external condyle and corresponding border of the femoral trochlea 
(Goubaux). When the rupture of the cord takes place in the tibial 
region, the ends of it, immobilized by the muscular layers between which 
they are inclosed, readily cicatrize; when it takes place at the superior 
extremity of the muscle, the continual motions of the point prevent 
cicatrization. 
If an animal thus affected is made to walk, the femoro-metatarsal cord, 
not transmitting to the canon the flexion of the femur, and the fleshy 
portion of the muscle being powerless in taking its place, the canon is no 
