The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-08-21
LAMENEss IN ANIMALS.
The Proper Way of Diagnosing and Treat
ing This Affection.

lnS lulb AhAiCllOn'
Laneness is not of itself disease,
but sign of it, and it is manifesto
zion by one or more of the limbs, of
pain, weakness, inability or impede
ment. 1t is the expression of pain or
inability, the result of disease, accident
or malformation in the limb or limbs
by which it is manifested. 1t NAV,
however, arise from disease apart from
the limbs, as In case of liver and spinal
disease. II may exist for short time
Independent of disease, but if it lasts,
disease is sure to follow. Disease much
Oftener exists in a limb without lame
ness than lameness without disease.
We may have mechanical lameness, as
in cases of complete anchylosis, with
out pain, and the same may be said in
case of dislocation of the patella.
Although pain may be said to be the
common cause of lameness, the animal
feels the pain either when it moves the
limb or presses weight upon it. Weak
ness may cause an inability to perform
the function of progression properly
"A horse may be lame from cramp caused
by excess of tonicity of the muscles of
limb, which renders him for time be-
INC dead lame" 1t is possible to have
great lameness from plugging of the
arteries with fibrinous clot In those
cases find the leg deathly cold and the
animal may start out to all appearances
we'll but after going quarter of mile
will pull up dead lame.
The slow trot is the best gait to dag
nose lameness at. If the lameness be in
the fore limb, the head and shoulder
are raised off from the lame one and
dropped onto the sound side. If the
lameness be in the hind limb, the quar-
ter of the same side is elevated, and that
of the sound one thrown we'll forward
and downward by jerking motion.
A close inspection while standing still
is wise in locating lameness. As a rule.
when q horse walks lame he trots very
lame. Some walk sound and trot very
lame, as in case of splint lameness.
Lameness may be caused by strain
Of q ligament muscular tissue, ten
dons, fractures, diseased bones, cartil-
age, morbid conditions of the skin,
tumors, plugging of the arteries, acct
dents such as pricks in shoeing, treads,
wounds, ulcers, rheumatism, reflex
nervous action, as in disease of the
liver
Strains of the muscles are of little
consequence, when compared with
strains of the tendons and ligaments.
oh 10 in cd
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 irregularity of muscles may arise
from granular degeneration of the
muscles without any disease being found
il the nerves or nerve centers.
The treatment for strain of the mus
oles exists in repose, soothing applica-
lions succeeded by slight and afterward
stronger and more active counter-irri-
tants. After the acute Inflammation
passes off, that is succeeded by atrophy,
the animal showing some signs of weak
ness and inability, but this condition
will soon pass away and the muscles re-
gain their normal tone. The most seri-
Gus cases Of strain we meet with are OF
tho ileXor tendons, suspcnsory ligaments
and the ligaments of the lower joints.
[niaries of this kind are very common
among horses used for fast work, bott
trotting and running. The Treatment
IN such eases is often very unsatisfac
rorY The first and most importan
thing to do, if occurring in hot weather
is to constantly use cold application
until most of the inflammation is sub
dued. If occurring in the colder months
of tho year, think hot water preferable
TO cold. One danger, however, in usn3
hot water is itsrela-ing tendency. Afte
all inflammation is subdued apply
good active blister of cantharides an,
bniodide of mercury, and the best meth
cd believe is to make an application
twce a day for few days until sucl
time as the parts arc thoroughly coun
ter-irritated. have also found glyce
rine a much better remedy to apply t,
the blistercd parts than lard and heavie
fats and oils. After all the scabs an
inscns,tivc skin is removed, commenc
Tic handwriting process, using glyce
rinc and iodine three times a day
believe if such treatment be followed W
The actual cautery can he dispensed wit
tnmany cases. DR.. Fair, IN Ohio Farm
Co.