SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
139 
imagine that the bone was broken. When a horse stands with 
c*> 
his foot fixed on the ground, the hough being extended in its 
natural posture, there is so little appearance of any grief in the 
leg, that it seems perfectly sound ; but if you handle the master 
sinew, you will find it more movable than that of the other leg ; 
and if you make the horse move his hinder parts, you will im¬ 
mediately perceive the sinew to be as loose and infirm as if it 
were broken.” 
The causes are varied, but anything that will cause extreme 
extension of the tarsus and metatarsus is liable to injure the 
muscle or its tendons, more particularly the tendinous portion. 
Falling forward, dragging the hind legs behind him, the hind 
foot becoming engaged or fast and the horse straining violently 
to free it. Bruises from kicks, being run into by wheel of a 
vehicle, sharp cutting instruments, barb-wire fences, etc. I have 
seen two cases where the entire structure was cut off near the 
distal end of the tibia on wire fences and two cases where the 
muscles were bruised respectively by being run into and falling. 
The two latter recovered, but it was thought best to destroy 
both those cut on the wire. 
Prognosis will depend very largely on the extent of the in¬ 
jury. Where complete rupture of the entire structure has oc¬ 
curred resolution can scarcely be expected, and the same will be 
true if they are torn loose from the bone, although in the worst 
cases if the foot is kept well forward recovery mav take place. 
Treatment .—Perfect rest is essential, with slings for the 
horse if he will bear them. The leg should be kept well for¬ 
ward by a cord secured to the fetlock and around the neck, hot 
fomentations to allay the inflammation and stimulating lini¬ 
ments will be sufficient. Rest should be prolonged until all 
signs of the lesions have disappeared. If an external wound,, 
antiseptics and astringents are required. 
DISCUSSION. 
Dr E. J. Netherton : I wish to inquire of the essayist in how 
long a time he would expect full recovery in these cases, and 
whether it would be worth while to treat an animal of small 
value? 
Dr. Moore : This would depend upon the extent of the in¬ 
jury. If it is a simple bruise of the muscular tissue ten to 
twelve days would be sufficient. If the tendon be ruptured or 
nearly so, it will take much longer. There have been several 
cases reported in which the period of convalescence was ten to 
