708 
DISEASES OF THE LEG. 
before union is complete; the newly-formed cicatricial tissue gradually 
becomes strained and the tendon lengthened, necessarily causing 
permanent lameness. Excessive extension of the hock, which some-’ 
times occurs during the early stages of union, disappears completely, 
with time. A few cases have completely recovered in twenty-five days ; 
probably the tendon was only partially ruptured. 
Treatment is confined to resting the limb. The ends of the fibrous 
cord are rarely far displaced, and reunion is not difficult. The 
animal should be kept perfectly quiet for four to six weeks, should be 
placed on a level surface, and not receive too much bedding. Work 
piotracts recovery, though in isolated cases union occurs despite it; 
it always takes a long time, however, and may remain incomplete, the 
ligament becoming elongated and the action permanently impaired. 
In horses of any value rest is indispensable. Blistering over the course 
of the affected muscle is unnecessary, and only serves to secure rest. 
Work can be resumed as soon as lameness disappears. 
RUPTURE OF THE TENDO ACHILLIS AND 
GASTROCNEMII MUSCLES. 
Ruptures of the gastrocnemii muscles and of the Achilles tendon 
are much rarer in animals than rupture of the flexor metatarsi. They 
are oftenest seen in cows, sometimes in both limbs at once, though 
in horses both rupture and wounding of the tendon and muscles have 
been recorded. Rupture generally occurs at the lower point of insertion 
of the Achilles tendon, a portion of the os calcis being at the same time 
torn away. In cows it has repeatedly been seen at the point where the 
muscle becomes continuous with the tendon ; but rupture of the muscle 
itself is known to occur both in horses and oxen. Bayer saw rupture of 
the tendon in dogs after bruising. 
Einwachter, in a horse, found not only the gastrocnemius but also 
the flexor pedis perforatus torn away from the femur. Pirl saw a cow 
with rupture of the Achilles tendon in both legs. Swelling resulted in 
the neighbouihood of the popliteal space, and gradually became larger 
and fluctuating. The cow could only shuffle about on the ground on 
her hocks. 
Causes. Rupture follows violent contraction of the muscle, produced 
in cattle by leaping one another, in riding-horses by jumping, and 
in draught-horses by efforts to avoid slipping. The tendon may also 
be strained by falling from a height, or by the animal slipping with 
the legs extended undei it. In cows rupture sometimes follows long 
periods of lying with the hind limbs flexed and violent efforts to rise, as 
in post-paitum paialysis. I he injury may involve both muscles or 
