RMTOKIaL. 
269 
From the above experiments I beg to present the following 
conclusions : 
1— The rupture of the fleshy portion alone of the flexor meta¬ 
tarsi will not give rise to the symptoms of the cases reported. 
2— The rupture, laceration or division of the tendinous portion 
alone in its upper part, from its origin to the point of union with 
the muscular fibres, will give rise to the difiiculty of flexion at the 
hock. 
3— The rupture or division of the lower portion of the muscle, 
or of any part of the muscle where the tendons and muscle are 
united, will also give rise to the same symptoms, but probably 
more marked, with greater difficulty of flexion at the hock, and 
impaired co-ordination of the movements. 
I do not know if, by these remarks, I have been able to 
elucidate the question of diagnosis. I think, however, that some 
conclusion can be arrived at: first, that, if the lower part is 
the seat of the lesion, some swelling of that region, heat and 
probably pain on pressure will be detected better than when the 
upper tendon alone is divided. Second, that the irregularity of 
the action will be more marked, there will be some adduction, 
and the motion of turning will also be rendered more embarras¬ 
sed, the leg affected becoming entangled with the other, and if 
these conclusions are correct, the indication for treatment will 
also be made more manifest. 
EDITORIAL. 
CRITICAL PERIOD IN AMERICAN VETERINARY HISTORY. 
Amongst all the professions there is probably none whose dark 
ages and progress have been more closely watched than the vet¬ 
erinary profession. The history of scientific Europe has made 
ail acquainted with the different stages through which this 
noble branch of the art of healing and of agriculture have passed, 
and to all observers in that direction it must be evident that in 
America veterinary science has reached one of its most critical 
periods. 
