AND HIS DISEASES. 39 



A few months' run in a paddock will tend greatly to con- 

 solidate the parts. 



SPRAINS, SHOXJLDEE-SLIP, SWEANEY, ETC. 



We will now proceed to notice the parts that are most 

 liable to sprains, and the treatment of these special cases. 



Beginning with the fore extremity, the first parts we find 

 affected are the muscles which cover, and are attached to 

 the scapula or ' blade-bone, laceration of the fibres of 

 which, -followed by their absorption, constitutes what is 

 called shoulder-slip, or in this country, sweaney. It is most 

 common in young horses, but all ages are liable to it. 



It consists in a sprain or laceration of the muscles, cover- 

 ing the outer surface of the blade-bone, (antea and postea 

 spinatus,) and sometimes other scapular muscles, (as the 

 teres, subscapnlaris^ &c.,) in consequence of which they 

 become wasted, leaving their places hollow, and sometimes 

 the spine of the blade-bone stands prominently out. 



Causes. — In young animals it is usually seen when first 

 put to work, as ploughing, &c., on rough or soft ground, or 

 from heavy draught. A badly-fitting collar often gives rise to 

 it. It may generally be attributed to the usual causes of sprain. 



Symptoms. — ^At first, though it is seldom noticed, the 

 muscles swell up, are hot and tender ; in the course of a few 

 days, the swelling- has disappeared, and the muscles are be- 

 coming fast absorbed. In many cases this goes on till the 

 bone can be felt. There is little or no pain on pressure in 

 this stage, and no positive lameness ; but there is a peculiar 

 rotatory motion of the limb, from the other muscles having 

 no counterbalancing power. This is sometimes mistaken by 

 non-professional men for dislocation of the shoulder-joint. 

 This, however, cannot occur, unless it is accompanied by 

 severe laceration, or even fracture. 



