TENDINOUS RUPTURES, 303 
The symptomatic manifestations vary in their severity, as the rupture is 
simple or double, complete or incomplete ; when both tendons are divided, 
they are very marked. Most commonly the tendon gives way below the 
fetlock, in the fold of the coronet, and sometimes on a level with the 
metacarpo-phalangeal joint. 
Whatever the location, complete rupture is always clearly marked by the 
dropping of the fetlock (fig. 71). 
Tor horses suffering with a severe lesion of an anterior extremity so that 
they have only one sound fore leg for support, Serres recommended the 
reclining position or suspension in a sling, thus avoiding the softening of 
the flexor tendons. It would also be advantageous to envelop the sound 
leg from the foot to the knee in cold water bandage or compress. 
In incomplete ruptures, difficult té diagnose (Degives), immobilization 
with a bandage is an important measure, and is, ordinarily, sufficient to 
bring on recovery. 
Complete rupture is, generally, an incurable lesion demanding that the 
animal should be destroyed, since, in the majority of cases, extremely 
serious complications accompany it (chronic tendinitis, tendinous quittor, 
synovitis, navicular disease). In Mollereau’s horse, both sesamoid sheaths 
were inflamed and the tendons softened; the tendinous and ligamentous 
apparatus of the metacarpo-phalangeal and interphalangeal joints showed 
marks of high inflammation with advanced softening of the tissues; 
the perforans was diseased from the fetlock to the semi-lunar crest; the 
lesions increased in severity from upwards downwards, as far as the sesa- 
moid sheath. The tendinous tissue was, as it were, dissociated, broken 
up into its constituent fibres ; it was purple in color, with numerous ecchy- 
motic spots here and there on its front face and through its substance. 
The same lesions existed on the semi-lunar crest. 
Interference is only proper in cases where the structure is not altered in 
accidental rupture. According to Rodet, this is not a rare occurrence on 
the hind legs “ from violent efforts to overcome an obstacle or from arapid 
gait.” 
The treatment then requires the application of a special apparatus or 
an immovable bandage to prevent the dropping backward of the fetlock. 
(See Wounds of the Flexor Tendons.) 
VI.—Suspensory Ligament. 
The investigations of Barrier and Poy have shown that the suspensory 
ligament is frequently the seat of lacerations. Therefore it is not surpris- 
ing that it may be ruptured. Examples are not very rare (Goubaux). 
Saint-Cyr records the following : 
