Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-10-19
lAMENsSs IN ANIMALS.
The PropeF Way of Diagnosing and Treat
Ing This Aflllction.

Ing This AHlIction.
Lamenoss Is not of itself disease,
but y sign of it, and it is n manifesto
ton by ono or more of the limbs, of
pain, weakness, inability or impede
mcnt, 1t is tho expire sion of pain or
inability, tho result of disease, accident
or ma,formation in the limb or limbs
by which it is manifested 1t may,
however, arise fl ON disease apart from
the limbs, rs in case of liver and spinal
disease. 1t may exist for n short time
Independent of disease, but if it lasts,
disease is sure to follow. Disease much
oftener exists in limb without lame
ness than lamenes; without disease.
We may have m1chan cal lamoness, rs
in cases OF complete anchylosis, with
out pan, and the same may b. said in
case of dislocation of the patclla.
Although pain may be said to be the
common cause of lamencss, the animal
feels the pain either when it moves the
LIMB or presses weight upon it. Weak
ness may cause an inab lity to perform
the function of progrcss.o on properly.
A horse may be lame from cramp caused
by excess of ton city of the muscles of
u limb, which renders him for time be-
ing "dcad lamc.n 1t is possible to have
great lamencss from plugging of tho
arteries with n fibrinous clot, In those
cases | find the log deathly cold and the
animal may start out to all appearances
well, but alter going quarter of mile
will pull up dead lame,
The slow trot is tho best gait to dag
nose lameness at. II the lamcness be In
the foro limb, the head and shoulder
are raised of from the lame one and
dropped onto tho sound side. II the
lameness be in the hind limb, the quar-
ter of the same side is elevated, and that
of the sound one thrown well forward
and downward by q jerking notion
A close inspection while standing still
Is wise in locating lamcncss As a rule.
when horse walks lame he trots very
lame. Some walk sound and trot very
lame, as in case of splint lameness.
LamencSs may be caused by strain
of ligament, muscular tissue, ten.
dons, fractures, diseased bones, cartil-
age, morbid conditions of the skin,
tumors, plugging of the arteries, acci.
dents such as pricks in shoeing. treads,
wounds, ulcers, rheumat SIN, a reflex
nervous action, as in disease of tha
liver.
Strains of the muscles are of little
consequence, when compared with
strains of the tcndons and ligaments.
Muscles are liable TO become deranged
in their functions, either bv an exalta-
ton or depression of their constructile
power, and these conditions are gener-
ally exhibited in the musles of the lum-
bar ventral and fcmoral regions Func.
tional irrcgularity of muscles may arise
from granular degeneration Of tho
muscles without any disease being found
in the nerves or nerve centcrs.
The treatment for strain of the mus.
cles exists in rcpose, soothing applica-
tons succeeded by slight and afterward
stronger and more active eounter-irri-
tants. After the acute Inflammation
passes off, that is succeeded by atrophy,
the animal showing some signs ofweak.
ness and inability, but this condition
twill SON pass away and the muscles re-
gain their normal tone. The most seri-
Gus cases of strain we meet with are Of
the ilcxor tendons, Suspcnsory ligaments
and the ligamcnts of the lower joints.
Injuries OF this kind are very common
among horses used for fast work, both
trotting and running. Tho treatment
in such cases is often very un 'atis!ac-
tory. The first AMI most important
thingto do, if occurring in hot weather,
is TO constantly use cold applications
until most of the inflammation is sub
ducd. II occurring in tho colder months
Of the year, think hlt water preferable
to cold. One danger. however, in using
hot water is itsrclaXing tendency. After
all inflammation is subdued apply II
good active blister of cantharides and
b,niod dc of mercury, and the best meth
o6 | believe is to make an application
twcc day for few days until such
time as the parts are thoroughly c)un.
ter-irritatcd. have also found glyce-
rinc much better remedy to apply to
the blistcrel parts than lard and heavier
fats and oils. After all the scabs ana
insens;tive skin is removed, commenc
the hand-rubbing process, using glycc
rinc and iodine three times a day. |
believe If such treatment be followed up,
The actual cautery can be dispensed with
in many cases. b, tair. IN 0hi' Farm