378 DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 



strong means of support for the stifle joint ; that is, of the articulation 

 of the thigh and shank bone, in front and outside of which it passes. 

 Its situation and its use cause it to be liable to severe stretching 

 and straining, and a rupture of some of its fibers is sometimes the 

 consequence. 



Cause. — This injury may be the result of a violent effort of the 

 animal in leaping over a high obstacle; in missing his foothold and 

 suddenly slipping backward while powerfully grasping the ground 

 with the feet in striving to start a heavily loaded vehicle ; in making 

 a violent effort to prevent a probable fall ; or in attempting to lift the 

 feet from miry ground. 



Symptoms. — The accident is immediately followed by disability 

 which will vary according to the true seat of the injury and the 

 period of its duration. This rupture will not prevent the horse from 

 standing perfectly and firmly on his feet when kept at rest, and 

 while no muscular efforts are required from him there is no appear- 

 ance of any lesion or unsoundness. An attempt to move him back- 

 ward, however, will cause him to throw all his weight upon his hind- 

 quarters, and he will refuse to raise his foot from the ground. If 

 compelled to do so, or required to move forward, the hock being no 

 longer capable of flexion, the muscle which effects that movement 

 being the injured one, the opposite muscles, the extensors, acting 

 freely, the entire lower part of the leg, from the hock down, will 

 be suddenly, with a jerk, extended on the tibia or shank bone, and 

 simultaneously with this the tendo Achillis, the cord of the hock, the 

 tendons of the extensors of the hock will be put in a wrinkled and 

 relaxed condition. The leg is behind the animal and the toe rests 

 on the ground. Examination of the fore part of the shank from the 

 stifle down to the hock may reveal soreness, and possibly some 

 swelling and heat at the seat of the lesion. 



TreatTnent. — Our experience with injuries of this form convinces 

 us that, generally speaking, they are amenable to treatment. Pro- 

 vided a sufficient time has been allowed for union to take place, very 

 few instances in which radical recovery has not been effected have 

 come to our knowledge. The more flexed the leg can be kept, the 

 quicker will it heal. 



In these cases, as in those of simple laceration of tendons, already 

 considered, the indications resemble those which apply in the treat- 

 ment of fractures, as near as coaptation of the lacerated ends is pos- 

 sible, with immobility, being the necessary conditions to secure. The 

 first is a matter of very difficult accomplishment, by bandaging alone, 

 and some have recommended instead the application of charges or 

 blisters in order to compel the animal to keep more quiet. 



To secure the necessary immobility the animal should be placed in 

 slings snugly applied, and kept in a narrow stall. He should also be 



