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B, First maximum leverage. C, Second dead centre. Now, we have seen that the tendon of Achilles is the piston cord, and the heel the crank-pin, of the muscular engine represented by the gastrocnemius and soleus. In the standing posture the heel slopes downwards and backwards, and is thus in a position, as regards its piston cord, considerably beyond the point of maximum leverage.
We have already seen that a double engine, made up of the gastrocnemius and soleus, is the power which is applied to the heel when we walk, and that the pad of the foot, lying across the sole in line with the ball of the great toe, serves as a fulcrum or rest. The weight of the body falls on the foot between the fulcrum in front and the power behind, as in a lever of the second order.
Of the upper part of the leg: The rectus femoris, the large muscle on the front of the leg which connects at the lower end with the kneepan. Of the lower leg: The tibialis anticus on the front side, exterior to the tibia, and the gastrocnemius, the large muscle in the calf of the leg. The use of these muscles is, in most instances, easily determined by observing the results of their contraction.
We have observed this form of tuberculous disease in the gastrocnemius and in the psoas in the latter muscle apart from tuberculous disease in the vertebræ. #Tendinitis.# German authors describe an inflammation of tendon as distinguished from inflammation of its sheath, and give it the name tendinitis.
Cadiot and Almy recommend vaginal douches of cold water and counterirritation of the region of the inner thigh in these cases. Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve. Anatomy. Near the stifle it passes between the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle and continues as the tibial. Etiology and Occurrence.
It relieves the gastrocnemius of muscular strain during weight bearing. Smith styles the function of the stifle and hock joints a reciprocating action, and we quote from this authority the following: From what has been said, it is evident that flexion and extension of stifle and hock are identical in their action.
As examples may be cited the rupture of the quadriceps extensor in attempting to regain the balance when falling backwards; of the gastrocnemius, plantaris, or tendo-calcaneus in jumping or dancing; of the adductors of the thigh in gripping a horse when it swerves "rider's sprain"; of the abdominal muscles in vomiting, and of the biceps in sudden movements of the arm.
Of the numerous bursæ in the popliteal space, that between the semi-membranosus and the medial head of the gastrocnemius is most frequently the seat of disease, which is usually of the nature of a simple hydrops, forming a fluctuating egg-or sausage-shaped swelling at the medial side of the popliteal space. It is flaccid in the flexed, and tense in the extended position.
This condition though rarely met with in the horse, is the result of violent strain upon the os calcis by the gastrocnemius and superficial flexor tendons in efforts put forth by animals in attempts to regain a footing when the hind feet slip forward under the body, or in jumping and in falls or direct contusion by heavy bodies.
The sartorius is one of the fleshy landmarks of the thigh, as the biceps is of the arm, and the sterno-cleido-mastoid of the neck. Its direction and borders may be easily traced by raising the leg, a movement which puts the muscle in action. If the model be directed to stand on tiptoe, both of the large muscles of the calf, the gastrocnemius and soleus, can be distinguished.
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