WOUNDS AND BRUISES OF THE METACARPUS. 
563 
metatarsal regions are often injured, either by the horse lashing out, or 
by its falling on sharp objects like broken bottles, scrap iron, sickles, or 
scythes. The flexor tendons are oftenest injured, the extensor pedis less 
frequently ; wounds of the latter are seldom serious, and heal when 
treated on general principles. Injuries to the flexor tendons are, however, 
very dangerous. 
There is no difficulty in diagnosis, though it is not always easy to 
discover the exact extent of the wound. As a rule, blood-vessels are 
divided, and bleeding may prove dangerous, though it is generally 
checked by the attendant applying cloths. The degree of lameness 
varies. When the flexor pedis perforatus, which is most exposed, is 
alone divided, it may only be slight; and weight may be placed on the 
limb, though the toe is directed somewhat upwards, and no longer 
touches the ground. Division of the flexor pedis perforans results in 
excessive dorsal flexion of the coronet-joint on every attempt to stand 
on the limb. When the flexor tendons and suspensory ligament are cut 
through, all the lower joints are in this condition, and distortion is often 
so marked that the fetlock comes in contact with the ground. 
After cessation of bleeding, the divided ends of the tendons may be 
seen in the wound, and the extent of injury be determined by palpation 
or by probing with the finger. The position of the wound generally 
indicates whether the sheaths of tendons have also been injured. 
Bruises of the metacarpus most frequently occur just below the knee, 
and may lead to extravasation of blood or lymph. The swelling varies 
in size, between a pigeon’s and a hen’s egg, is fluctuating, but not often 
acutely inflamed, and seldom causes lameness. 
Course. Healing chiefly depends on the parts being kept aseptic. 
Wffien this is possible, wounds heal in two to three weeks, though if 
pus formation occurs they may take four to six weeks, or even months. 
Injuries confined to the flexor pedis perforatus naturally heal more 
readily than those affecting both the flexors. Wounds involving the 
sheaths of flexor tendons are exceedingly dangerous, purulent or septic 
tendovaginitis being liable to set in, especially in horses, and, therefore, 
wounds close above the fetlock or in the pastern region are more 
dangerous than those in the middle of the metacarpus, where such 
sheaths are absent. In the ox the conditions are similar to those in 
horses, though healing sometimes occurs without any particular pre¬ 
cautions. Gerlacli saw complete division of the flexor pedis perforans 
and perforatus in the cow, followed by cicatrisation in four weeks. For 
some time there was very marked dorsal flexion, but this disappeared 
in three months. In small animals injuries of this class generally do 
better, because the limb can be better protected. 
Lymph extravasations due to bruising are usually indolent and persist 
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