642 DIVISION OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 
cramp can be divided into idiopathic and symptomatic ; whether 
they could be traced to stoppage of the circulation—forcible ex¬ 
tension of the limb—false position of it—compression—contu¬ 
sion, or wound of a nervous filament; whether cramp could be 
traced to lesion of the cerebral substance—to spinal affection, 
membranous or nervous—and why the hind limbs are so much 
more subject to it than the fore ones. 
I think that, by paying more attention to this malady, we 
should be enabled to add to the facts which I have narrated, and 
to give a satisfactory answer to the above queries; and also 
place the subject of cramp in its proper situation in the nosolo¬ 
gical table. 
Journal, 1833, p. 71. 
How much light might some of our brother practitioners (and 
to one in particular we allude) throw on this obscure, not always 
spasmodic, but, in most instances, hock-lameness! It will also 
be interesting to compare this memoir with the narration of some 
supposed or real cases of dislocation of the patella.— Edit. 
DIVISION OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 
By Mr. W. C. Spooner, F.S'., Winchester . 
In the course of the last twelve months there have been many 
cases of “ division of the flexor tendons’ 7 detailed in The Ve¬ 
terinarian^ but as there is no case in which the operation 
has been performed on both legs, I will proceed to narrate one 
that has come under my notice ; but before I do so it may, per¬ 
haps be as well to say a few words of the effects of the opera¬ 
tion, and the nature of the disease for which it is put in requisi¬ 
tion. 
Overshooting of the fetlock joint appears to arise most com¬ 
monly from a chronic inflammation of the flexor tendons, parti¬ 
cularly of that portion immediately below the knee. As an in¬ 
flamed tendon causes much less pam in a flaccid than in a tense 
state, the animal is induced to flex the limb when at rest, and, 
in the course of time, the tendon becomes considerably shortened ; 
the horse goes on his toe, and is rendered useless. On division 
of the sinews, they separate for the space of an inch, and the leg 
is easily restored to its natural position; granulations are thrown 
out on the divided ends, and in a short time an union takes 
place, accompanied with an elongation of tendons, which can be 
* It is rather singular that nine cases out of ten should occur in North 
Britain : is there any thing in the breed of horses there used, or the mode 
of working them, that makes them more disposed to contracted sinews? 
