AND HIS DISEASES. 45 



occur, it is extremely rare. In rupture of the ligaments, the 

 fetlock descends to the ground ; but when raised, the animal 

 can flex the foot, which he could not do were the tendons 

 ruptured. It usually occurs near the sessamoides when we 

 have swelling, heat, and pain. 



Treatment. — Slinging is almost indispensable to keep 

 the limb steady, the judicious application of splints and 

 bandages, and a high-heeled shoe should be put on so as to 

 keep the parts in situ ; and the inflammation must be regu- 

 lated by the constant application of cold, laxative medicine, 

 and cooling, easily-digested food, sparingly supplied, when 

 reunion will take place, but a permanent thickening is 

 generally left. When the animal is able to use the limb,, 

 the slings and splints may be dispensed with, and it may 

 be fired or blistered to consolidate the new fibres, and form 

 a permanent bandage to the part. The horse can never 

 afterwards be passed as sound, nor will he stand much hard 

 work. 



SPEAIN OP THE FETLOCE. 



The ligaments of the fetlock-joint are sometimes sprained, 

 giving rise to swelling of the joint, pain, and lameness. Its 

 nature, causes, symptoms, and treatment difier so little from 

 those of other parts that we will forbear further comment. 



NATICULAE DISEASE. 



It is now generally agreed by veterinarians, that navicular 

 disease consists essentially of a sprain of the..perforans ten- 

 don, as it passes over the navicular bone ; but as we will 

 return to this subject when treating of diseases of the foot, 

 we will reserve our remarks for another chapter. 



HIP-JOINT LAMENESS. 



Sprain of the whirl, or round bone, as it is commonly 



