AS CONNECTED WITH MUSCULAR FIBRE. 
555 
they are interposing agents, to prevent any strain being commu- 
nicated to the flexor muscle when the limb is quiescent; and as 
ligamentous structure can endure — nay, for its health, requires con- 
tinued tension — they explain the means which enable the horse to 
rest and sleep without seeking the recumbent posture. 
When I first saw the use of these bands, it struck me that in 
strain of the tendons these must be the parts primarily involved ; 
and though I had no actual experience to back my assertion, I 
declared the suspensory bands to be the seat of that injury deno- 
minated “sprung tendon.” My opinion was by some, no doubt, 
thought unworthy of attention, for it was opposed to that of various 
authors deservedly regarded as authorities. But shortly after I 
had hazarded the assertion, an animal which had the flexor ten- 
dons of both fore-legs affected was destroyed, and on investigating 
the parts my conviction was in the fullest manner confirmed. The 
ligamentous bands were found enlarged, much thickened, and in- 
termixed with and surrounded by a dark-coloured highly organized 
substance. The inferior was found to enclose the perforans and 
perforatus, which were concealed within it as in a sheath. On 
opening one of these sheaths I found the enclosed perforans tendon 
softened to a great degree, and the texture so loose that with the 
fingers the fibres could be separated — a proof that it had sympa- 
thised in the inflammation by which the ligamentous band had 
been primarily and acutely attacked. Below the seat of disease 
the tendon was firm and healthy. 
These ligamentous bands, by their position, admit of the upward 
motion of the tendons when the muscles contract, but they endure 
the entire strain when the foot is placed upon the ground. To them 
the shock sustained in leaping and during violent exertion is com- 
municated; and though frequently injured, yet they aptly illustrate 
the power of resistance inherent in the fibre of which they are com- 
posed, when their comparative small size is contemplated in con- 
junction with the enormous bulk of the horse’s body, increased 
by the weight of his rider, and the force they are capable of resist- 
ing when this mass is subjected to the impetus of motion. They are, 
I have said, frequently injured ; and, regarding the uses they are or- 
dained to fulfil, I cannot forbear asserting, more frequently injured 
than is generally imagined. In rupture of the tendons they must 
be involved ; they cannot escape, for the strength of any part is 
the force which the weakest point of such a part is capable of 
resisting. The structure of the ligamentous bands does not allow 
us to conjecture that they are more coherent than tendon; but being 
less in bulk than the back sinews with which they unite, and sub- 
jected to injury when the tendon is strained, we must view them 
as the weakest point of that part of the organism with which they 
