TENDINOUS RUPTURES. 299 
tibia, or if with the rupture of the cord there is partial laceration of the 
muscle with a more or less abundant bloody exudation, the anterior face of 
the tibia presents either a wound, or only a tender, cedematous part; the 
inferior part of the leg may be the seat of a swelling, more or less promi- 
nent. But when the rupture is the result of a forced extension of the leg, 
it keeps its normal clean appearance. In both cases, the symptoms 
observed during walking are characteristics and the diagnosis is easy. The 
exploration of the leg will always permit one to avoid the error of Barthe- 
lemy, who believed that it was a case of fracture of the tibia.’ 
’ In this rupture, the ends of the divided cord do not spread apart very 
much, the treatment is very simple, and complete recovery is the general 
tule. The animal must be left in absolute rest, loose in a box-stall. To 
put splints and a pitch bandage on it, as did Solleysel, is useless. Emol- 
lients, douches and padded dressings have been recommended. A rest of 
four to five weeks is sufficient to obtain a recovery, both ends of the cord 
uniting spontaneously. Vesicating applications are not necessary, though 
they accelerate the repairing process; the local pain that they produce in- 
sures the more complete immobilization of the leg, and while the leg is 
covered with the crusts of the blister, the owner is more willing to leave 
the animal at rest. As it is not always possible to find the spot of the 
1 In a series of experiments which we have made, we have observed a differ- 
ence in/the symptoms. In one case where we divided the tendon only a little 
below its passage through the groove between the external and anterior tuberos- 
ity of the superior extremity of the tibia, the animal showed all the manifesta- 
tions observed in all similar casesI had observed, at once. In a second case, 
where we had divided the muscular portion only, we observed that when the 
horse walked away from the bed, his action was perfect, the leg being carried 
away without trouble, the hock well flexed. In a third experiment, an incision 
was made just above the tibio-tarsal joint, the tendon of the anterior extensor 
pedis well isolated and then the entire structure of the muscle, which is there 
mostly tendinous, was divided. Immediately the animal drags his toe with 
much difficulty, knuckles considerably at every step he takes; the tendon 
Achilles is more marked than in the subject of the first experiment. When the 
animal is turned round on the operated side the action is more difficult, the leg 
is carried more in adduction. Still the standing is firm on both legs and when 
in his stall the animal seems in perfect health. 
‘From these experiments I concluded (1) the rupture of the fleshy portion 
alone of the flexor metatarsi will not give rise to the symptoms of the cases 
recorded ; (2) rupture, laceration or division of the tendinous portion alone in 
the upper part, from its origin to the point of union with the muscular fibres, 
will give rise to the difficulty of flexion at the hock ; (3) rupture or division 
of the lower portion of the muscle or of any part of the muscle where tendon 
and muscle are united, will also give rise to the same symptoms, but probably 
more marked, with greater difficulty of flexion at the hock and impaired codr- 
dination of the movements,—(Amer, Vet. Rev., vol. 3, page 263,) 
