568 RUPTURE OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS AND SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT. 
hind limbs have become totally ruptured on account of advanced necrosis. 
Purulent or septic cellulitis extending to the flexor tendon sheaths sets 
up purulent tendovaginitis, which leads to necrosis of the tendon. The 
animal then stands continuously on the other foot, this sometimes 
causing descent of the pedal bone. Pain then increases to such a degree 
that weight is placed on the first affected limb in spite of the disease of 
the tendon. This apparent improvement is, however, suddenly cut short 
Fig. 209.—Rupture of the flexor pedis perforans behind the fetlock in consequence 
of suppuration in the tendon sheath. 
by rupture of the tendon. The change in the position of the hind limbs 
is generally noticed in the morning. 
Necrosis of the ruptured tendons is indicated by the dull yellow 
colour of the structures, and (in cases where separation of the dead 
parts has already set in) by the red granulations bordering the normal 
tendon tissue. 
Gramlich describes a horse which, during the course of influenza, 
suffered from inflammation of the tendons of all four limbs. In one 
front leg the perforans and perforatus tendons were both ruptured, and 
on post-mortem examination were found partly necrotic. 
