TREATMENT OF STRAINS. 195 



TREATMENT OF STRAINS AND WO0NDS. 



Strains. — Strain is a -wrenching or torsion of the mus- 

 cles, tendons or ligaments, and is generally followed by 

 pain and lameness. 



" Muscular strains consist of an absolute tearing of tha 

 fibrous tissue composing the muscles ; or else of such an 

 approach to a disruption as to have an equally prejudicial 

 effect in producing lameness. In some cases the whole of 

 a small bundle of fibres is torn across ; but this is not the 

 usual degree in which strains occur, and the most common 

 amount of mischief is only a slight separation of a few of 

 the very small fibres of which the bundle is composed ; 

 and this state is then generally spread' over a considerable 

 surface, producing considerable soreness from inflamma- 

 tion. Tendinous and ligamentous strains are very similar 

 in their nature, and consist either in an absolute tearing 

 apart of these fibres, or such an approach to this as to cause 

 great inflammation, and consequent incapacity for using 

 them. Sometimes what is supposed to be a strain of the 

 tendon is really an inflammation in its sheath, which causes 

 gi'cat swelling and pain, and the limb is thereby rendered 

 quite useless for the time being."* 



Of Shoulder Strain, Youatt says : 



The muscles of the shoulder-blade are occasionally 

 injured by some severe shock. This is effected oftener by 

 a slip or side fall, than by fair, although violent exertion. 

 It is of considerable importance to be able to distinguish 

 this shoulder-lameness from injuries of other paits of the 

 fore extremity. There is not much tenderness, or heat, or 

 s-wolling. If; on standing before the horse, and looking at 

 the size of the two shoulders, or I'ather their points, one 

 Rhould appear evidently larger than the othei, this must 



