Where, however, the centre of the sole is cut through, and the capsular ligament or coffin bone injured, the case must be considered as a very serious one, and active measures resorted to for prevention of inflammation, suppuration, &c. First cut away the sole and enlarge the orifice of the wound as much as is necessary, then bleed freely at the toe, and insert some lint soaked in chloride of zinc, of the strength of one scruple to the pint of water, into the wound, A strong leathern shoe with two soles should be then buckled round the hoof, and the horse kept perfectly still. Cold swabs should be applied above the leathern shoe and around the pasterns, and a lowering diet, with a mild purge, administered.

OVERREACH.

This is occasioned by the horse bringing the hind foot too quickly on the fore. Sometimes the surface is merely cut, but at others it is severely bruised as well.

A due regard must be had to the nature of the injury, before commencing any treatment.

If the integuments be merely cut, the wound should be washed carefully, and then touched with Friar's balsam; after which, the lips of the wound should be immediately closed, and adhesive plaster applied to keep them in their position. If the wound, however, gives evidence of a severe bruise, inflammation and suppuration must inevitably occur.

In this case, apply, after having well cleansed the

wound, some lint compresses soaked in a solution of chloride of zinc, of the strength of one scruple to the pint of water, and continue this treatment until a cure is effected.

SPEEDY CUT.

If the skin be not broken, and the parts merely bruised, apply some lint compresses, soaked in a solution of one part of tincture of arnica to six parts of cold water, and over this tie some oiled silk. Never again, unless there was sufficient cause for the horse hitting his leg, allow him to go out without a regular speedy-cutting boot, padded with india rubber.

STRAINS.

Notwithstanding all that has been asserted to the contrary, there can be no doubt that when a muscle, tendon, or ligament is said to be strained, it has really been stretched beyond its proper limits. The fibres of the muscles, tendons, &c., are undoubtedly ruptured in addition, and an extravasation of blood and serum brought about during the violence. And this is what gives rise to the tumefaction and tenderness consequent

on a strain.

STRAIN OF THE SHOULDER.

It is but very seldom that horses are strained in the shoulder; but when it does occur, it is easily detected

by any careful observer, by the intense pain it gives the horse when extending the limb of his own accord, or on its being extended by manual force; and when the strain is very severe, the toe will be dragged along the ground, and the horse will hop on the other leg. No treatment is of any avail, but entire rest followed by gentle exercise.

The injury may exist in either the muscles or ligamentous attachments; but in which of the two, it will be impossible to ascertain.

Where, however, the injury lies in the triceps extensor brachii-the large bulging muscle above the arm--the heat and swelling will be very evident, and its treatment will be similar to that of any other strain: viz. a reduction of the inflammation, followed by rest and counter-irritation. Horses are very liable to this injury when galloping at great speed down hill; and on some training grounds it is of frequent occurrence.

STRAIN OF THE BACK AND LOINS.

Strained, or, as it is termed by horsemen, 'ricked back,' is marked by a stiffness and soreness of the muscles along the back and loins. It occurs usually by the horse dropping his hind legs into a ditch or drain, having at the same time a heavy weight on him. The treatment must consist of entire rest, physicking, and lowering diet. The back and loins should be well fomented by dipping flannel cloths in hot water and

arnica, of the strength of one part of arnica to six parts of hot water, and applying them all along the back and loins. This treatment must be persevered in for two or three days; after which, mustard poultices should be applied every two days for a fortnight, and the rest of the treatment should be left to time alone. Such horses should be put to harness work, at which they may be useful for very many years; but, if used for saddle work, a recurrence of the injury is sure to take place. If it is ascertained by the existence of paralysis of the hind limbs that the spinal chord is injured, the animal should be destroyed.

STRAIN OF THE BACK-SINEWS, AND RUPTURE
OF THE SHEATH OF THE TENDONS.

This injury is the bugbear of all trainers and hard riders, and is perfectly certain to happen to all horses which are used for racing purposes, sooner or later. When the accident occurs, the sheath of tendons is much tumefied and exquisitely tender, and great lameness is caused: indeed, I have seen a horse take half an hour to walk three hundred yards immediately after its occurrence.

In slight cases, heat, tenderness, and other evidences of inflammation resulting from strain may be readily discovered, together with a tenderness or slight lameness when in motion, and it is at this stage that treatment will be of avail in preventing the greater injury

of actual rupture of the ligamentous attachments to the tendons. The treatment in either case should consist of removing all corn, and giving a mild purging ball, and applying lint compresses soaked in arnica and water-one part of arnica to twelve of water-and enveloped with oiled silk. A high-heeled shoe should be fitted on the foot to prevent extension of the sheath of the tendons. In about one month or six weeks, when the inflammation has subsided, repeated blisterings with biniodide of mercury, or firing, must be resorted to. The sheath of the tendons, however, will always present an enlarged or bowed appearance.

BREAKING DOWN, OR RUPTURE OF THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENTS.

Rupture of the suspensory ligament rarely happens to any but the racehorse or steeple-chaser; and when it does occur, the racing career of its victim is at an end.

It consists in a rupture of the suspensory ligament, usually immediately above the fetlock joint, which generally gives way so much as to reach the ground, and causes such severe pain that the horse will hop back to the stable on three legs as best he can. The lotion recommended for the preceding injury should be used until all inflammation has abated, when the leg should be blistered with biniodide of mercury, and fired in one month's time from the period of the action of the blister.

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