treatment. Without the necessary
immobility there can be no close connection of the ends of the tendons.
To fulfill this necessary condition the posterior part of the foot and
the fetlock must be supported and the traction performed by them
relieved, an object which can be obtained by the use of the high-heeled
and bar shoe, or possibly better accomplished with a shoe of the same
kind extending about 2 or 2-1/2 inches back of the heels. The perfect
immobility of the legs is obtained in the same way as in the treatment
of fracture, with splints, bandages, iron apparatus, plaster of adhesive
mixtures, and similar means. So long as the dressings remain in place
undisturbed and no chafing or other evidence of pain is present, the
dressings may be continued without changing, the patient being kept in
the slings for a period sufficient to insure the perfect union of the
tendons. For a compound lesion when there is laceration of the skin some
special care is necessary. The wound must be carefully watched and the
dressings removed at intervals of a few days or as often as may be
needful, all of which additional manipulation and extra nursing, however
indispensable, still adds to the gravity of the case and renders the
prognosis more and more serious. When the tendons have sloughed in
threads of various dimensions, or if in the absence of this process of
mortification healthy granulations should form and fill up the wound,
still very careful attention will be required, the granulating ends of
the tendons having a tendency to bulge between the edges of the skin and
to assume large dimensions, forming bulky excrescences or growths of a
warty or cauliflower appearance, the removal of which becomes a
troublesome matter.

The union of the tendons will at times leave a thickening of varying
degree near the point of cicatrization, the absorption of which becomes
an object of difficult and doubtful accomplishment, but which may be
promoted by moderate blistering and the use of alterative and absorbent
mixtures or perhaps the fire iron. A shoe with heels somewhat higher
than usual will prove a comfort to the animal and aid in moderating and
relieving the tension of the tendons.

RUPTURE OF THE FLEXOR METATARSI.

This is a muscle of the anterior part of the shank. It is situated in
front of the tibia, and is of peculiar formation, being composed of a
muscular portion with a very powerful tendon, which are at first
distinct and separ