492 VETERINARY SURGICAL THERAPEUTICS. 
attached ; the tendons, the muscles, are also partly or totally ruptured or 
displaced; or there are cases where the diathrodial cartilages are 
crushed on the opposite side to that where the ligaments have given 
way ; and, lastly, there is always a more or less abundant infiltration of 
blood, either in the peri-articular connective tissue or in the synovial 
itself. Co a oo ae 
According to the seat of the principal lesions, sprains are divided. 
into anterior, posterior or dateral; but after a few days, the inflamma-- 
tion having spread all round the point, the anatomical diagnosis is often 
impossible. . 
Generally, it is easy to distinguish a sprain from a dislocation ora. 
fracture. However, for the shoulder and the hip, hesitation is per-. 
mitted on account of the thickness of the muscular masses. 
The therapeutics of sprains has had many changes during the various. 
epochs. In old farriery irritants were freely used; on a sprained fet- 
lock, Solleysel applied its ‘“emmiellure” (honey preparation); in 
sprained loins, these were covered with a coat of cantharides and pitch,. 
half melted. Against recent sprains, Lafosse recommended bleedings. 
and specially camphorated alcohol in frictions or cold water; when 
there was large swelling, emollients first, resolutives afterwards, were- 
recommended. In the days of the physiological doctrine, the inflamma- 
tion was treated by general and local bleeding, cold poultices (flax 
seed), emollient applications. The useless populeum was used in daily 
frictions; grease and oils were not neglected. Soon, however, observa- 
tion showed the powerless effects of such treatments. Lameness, said 
Delorme, remained always during six weeks, two months, and even 
longer. Blisters, charges were then resorted to. It is yet to-day the 
therapeutics used by many; blistering, it is said, displaces the articular: 
inflammation, brings it to the skin, immobilizing the joint at the same 
time by the soreness of the swelling it produces. 
A rational treatment must vary according to the time one is called to- 
interfere. In the presence of a recent injury, one must try to reduce: 
the inflammation and the swelling. It has been recommended to give 
the joints. artificial movements (passive?), with the object of replacing- 
in their normal situation the parts which may have been displaced ; their 
usefulness is doubtful. mobilization is much better. It is obtained. 
by keeping the animal perfectly at rest, hobbling the front legs together, 
or applying an immovable bandage on the joint. (See Sprains of the 
£etlock.) Compresses, dipped in ordinary or salt water, white lotion, 
camphorated alcohol, have their usefulness. To be efficacious, the 
cooling action must: be continued, if possible, constant; by this way 
reaction will be avoided. The applications of ice, recommended by 
