497 
CASES OF FRACTURES, &C. 
I discovered a considerable thickening; of the flexor tendons in 
their whole extent, between the knee and fetlock joints. The only 
history of the case I could obtain was, that six or eight months 
before the horse became slightly lame, which lameness had gradu- 
ally increased up to the period when I was called in. Judging 
from the length of time the lameness had existed, the absence of the 
usual symptoms of inflammation in the part, and the apparent con- 
traction and rigidity of the tendons, I at once advised the division 
of them, as the only chance of cure, and intimated that this must be 
undertaken as an experiment. The owner hesitated, and deferred 
his decision. About a week after he called upon me, saying that 
he had been advised firing and blistering as the best means of cure, 
which operations I was requested to perform. This was done, and 
I believe about six weeks’ run given the animal, during which 
time the lameness very rapidly increased. I was now told that the 
horse would be given up to any system of treatment I chose to 
adopt. I accordingly prepared him by bran-mashes and physic, 
and proceeded to operate, by having him cast in the usual way, 
extending the leg, making a longitudinal incision at once through 
the skin, &c. down upon the tendons at the posterior part of the 
leg, and dividing them in an oblique direction ; which done, I at 
once bandaged the part, and had a strong shoe (with a long heel 
and strong bar of iron passing up the back part of the leg to above 
the knee) fixed on. I then bound the leg back to the iron, and 
allowed my patient to get upon his feet, and walk into his stable: 
which he did pretty well. I had now to contend for some time 
with considerable inflammation of the part, and at times with 
severe sympathetic fever; and, what was much worse, a very 
restless, I might almost say furious, patient. The operation was 
performed about the middle or latter part of February last : the 
animal has not since been put to any kind of work ; but is now 
able to trot and gallop and jump as well as ever he could in his 
life ; nor does he, as I am told, evince the least lameness even 
when trotting at full speed. 
Now, Mr. Editor, there is one thing connected with this case 
which may be worthy of mention. The leg appeared previous to 
the operation as if the flexor tendons were contracted ; but I wanted 
to know if a contraction in the length of a tendon were possible. 
T have always thought it, and do still consider it, quite impossible, 
although we sometimes read and hear of such a thing taking place. 
I looked upon the present case as one of adhesion between the 
tendo perforans and perforatus, and gave my opinion accordingly ; 
and it was upon this ground that I considered division of the 
tendons the only chance of cure. 
VOL. XXIII. 3 X 
