INFLAMMATION OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 
577 
infriction and the pressure of the cutaneous thickening on the inflamed 
spot; and when the above-described treatment proves impracticable, it 
is good practice to apply a blister or, better still, a blistering plaster. 
The use of “charges,” though now almost discontinued, is of consider¬ 
able value in many cases of strained tendons. Roborans plaster, 
liquefied by heat, is spread thinly over linen strips and applied with 
gentle pressure from the fetlock to within an inch or two of the flexure 
of the knee. Occasionally the liquid plaster is applied to the skin and 
is covered with chopped tow; but the former method is the better. The 
charge is left on for six to eight weeks, provided no complications ensue. 
This method is less likely to blemish than the use of blisters. Potting 
assists the action of the blister by a pressure dressing. About the third 
day, when exudation has ceased, he applies moist wadding to either side 
of the diseased tendon, and passes a woollen bandage over all. The first 
dressing remains on for two days, and is then renewed and left in place 
for three to five days. 
Old thickenings are best treated by firing. In this case the chief 
effect is produced by the mechanical action of the inflammatory swelling 
and cicatricial shrinkage in the cutis. The lines, running obliquely 
from the front downwards and backwards, should not be wider apart 
than half an inch, nor should the}^ meet at the back of the perforatus 
tendon. After the scab has fallen, the above-described pressure dressing 
can be again applied. 
If, in old thickening of the tendons, firing is out of the question, a 
compress dressing saturated with “ water glass ” solution is useful, 
especially in small swellings, and where the animal cannot be rested, 
but precautions must be taken against dirt or sand getting under it and 
causing chafing. 
The animals must be kept from heavy work for some time, but can be 
put to exercise as soon as lameness has quite disappeared. During this 
stage riding-horses must be kept from jumping and continued rapid 
trotting, nor should they ever be suddenly pulled up. 
In shoeing horses with disease of the perforans or perforatus, the 
heels should be spared, the toe shortened as much as possible, and 
shoes with calkins or thick heels used. For many years it has been 
disputed whether raising the heels by calkins exercises any influence 
on the angle of the phalanges towards the ground ; it now seems agreed 
that this is certainly the case, for the pedal and coronet joints at least, 
and for the former to a greater extent than for the latter. The position 
of the fetlock-joint and the fetlock angle are, however, scarcely affected 
by the dorsal flexion so produced in the pedal and coronet joints; 
raising the heels, therefore, has no effect on the suspensory ligament, 
but it is useful in inflammation of the tendons, 
v.s. 
p p 
