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REPORT OF CASE. 
REPORT OF CASE, 
RUPTURE OF THE FLEXOR METATARSI. 
By C. B. Michkner, D.V.S. 
Editor Veterinary Review: 
The literature of cases of ruptured flexor metatarsi of the 
horse being somewhat rare, I am led to believe that it will not be 
uninteresting to your readers to report this lesion as it occurred 
in my practice. Particularly is this case worthy of note since the 
exact seat of the lesion was clearly defined ; also, from the fact of 
the rapid recovery made, considering the age of the horse. 
The subject, a black gelding, seventeen years old, was out at 
grass on Nov. 4th, 1879. He was entirely free from lameness 
when the owner went to the field to catch him for work. The 
horse started to run along a hillside, but soon slipped and fell to 
the ground. The off posterior extremity was extended backwards, 
and dragged for twenty or thirty feet while falling. On regain¬ 
ing the erect posture, the horse was noticed lame in the off hind 
leg. I saw him on the 10th, six days after the accident, the own¬ 
er having been convinced that the leg was broken. 
While standing still, the leg was in its normal position; all 
that could be detected was a slight swelling and some heat at the 
antero-superior part of the hock joint. When made to move, the 
inability to flex the hock was plainly demonstrated, and the re¬ 
laxation and corrugation of the tendo-Achillis was well marked. 
In advancing the leg, the part inferior to the hock was merely car¬ 
ried along, and the power to direct the special movements of this 
part of the limb was almost entirely lost. 
I diagnosed a rupture of the tendon of the flexor-metatarsi, at 
its division in front of the inferior part of the tibia. 
The horse was treated by being placed in his stall; ordered 
not to be moved; and a severe blister applied over the seat of 
the injury. After the second blister was healed there were mark¬ 
ed signs of improvement. A third blister was well by the 12th 
