710 
DISEASES OF THE LEG. 
sufficiently far to touch the ground (fig. 268). The excessive flexion 
of the hock increases the distance between the points of origin and 
insertion of the flexor pedis, and the phalanges take up a position of 
excessive plantar flexion, i.e., become “ shot over.” The hock can also 
be flexed to an unusual degree by the exertion of a little force. As 
a rule, a depression may be noted in the course of the tendon or 
swelling in the gastrocnemii muscles; the tendon appears relaxed, even 
when the limb touches the ground. In incomplete rupture lameness is 
shown when weight is thrown on the limb, and there is more or less 
pronounced flexion of the joints, particularly of the hock-joint. 
The prognosis depends almost entirely on whether the uninjured 
Fig. 263—Rupture of the tendo AchiHis (after Stockfletli). 
leg can sustain weight until union occurs. Small animals, like dogs 
and cats, almost always do well, but larger animals, as St. Cyr pointed 
out, are less favourably circumstanced. They sometimes succumb to 
the continued standing or lying, for union takes from four to six weeks, 
and under some circumstances may be protracted for several months! 
Oxen do best lying, but as horses are obliged to stand, it becomes a 
question whether laminitis may not supervene in the other foot. Never¬ 
theless a considerable number of recoveries have been recorded in the 
horse. The grounds for forming a prognosis are so slight that it is 
generally more prudent to withhold it, and watch closely for unfavour¬ 
able symptoms. As a rule, in the horse the hind feet are more liable to 
contract laminitis than the front, although they bear less weight_a 
fact to be kept in mind when one limb is disabled. In small animals 
recovery is more probable, and if other means fail, an attempt may 
