566 RUPTURE OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS AND SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT. 
explanation of the cause could be discovered further than that the horse had 
previously been confined to the stable for some days on account of lameness 
in one limb. A similar case was reported a year later ; in another the flexor 
pedis was torn away from the os pedis in both hind limbs, and the sesamoid 
bones of both front limbs were fractured. In these cases, also, the animals 
had previously been unworkable. Maillet, in a horse, saw both the flexor 
pedis perforans and perforatus ruptured. Some old-standing disease, such as 
partial rupture of the tendons, had probably been in existence. Eodet noted 
Fig. 208.—Rupture of the flexor pedis perforans and perforatus tendons. 
a similar accident, affecting both fore limbs, occur during galloping. Schraml 
describes tearing away of the flexor pedis perforans from its insertion into the 
os pedis, portions of which remained adherent to the tendon; the navicular 
bone was broken into many fragments, which Schraml ascribes to the 
excessive weight thrown on it after rupture of the tendon. Degive saw 
rupture of the flexor pedis perforans in all four limbs after an attack of 
laminitis. 
Moller has repeatedly seen similar cases. The suspensory ligament 
is almost always torn away from its lower attachment to the sesamoid 
bones, whilst portions of the bone are loosened. In van-horses the 
suspensory ligament is sometimes ruptured, even in the hind limbs. In 
front, this rupture is commonest in race- and steeplechase- horses, and is 
