366 Journal of Agriculture. [8 June, 1907. 



Detection of Fetlocl^ Lameness. 



The features by which lameness in the rej^ion of the fetlock can he 

 detected are : — 



{a) The habitual resting of the limb, which appears to start forward 



at the fetlock. 

 {b) Local swelling, heat and tenderness and the appearance of 



windgalls. 

 {c) Bending the joint fully causes intense pain as alsO' does full 

 extension. 

 The lameness caused by " cutting "' or " l)rushing." that is, hitting the 

 jiside of the fetlock with the toe or quarce^' of the opposite foot, is usually 

 painful but transient. The sudden, and for a time seyere, lameness which 

 comes on during exercise and passes awa\ quickly is often caused by a 

 hitting of the fetlock oyer the course of the j)lantar nerve, which for a 

 time is thereby paralyzed. 



Fetlocl^ Arthritis. 



Inflammation of the true fetlock joint is a common complication in 

 such diseases as rheumatism, navel-ill, septicaemia and other blood disorders, 

 the associated symptoms of which are sufficient to establish the connexion. 

 In such cases local treatment of the lameness is of little value and its 

 acuteness will subside along with the sul)sidence of the systemic conditions 

 which give rise to it. 



Sesan]oiditis. 



The sesamoid bones are the two pyramidal shaped bones situated at the 

 back of the fetlock which act ,as a fulcrum for the flexor muscles of the 



Lai-ge liietacaipal or cannon bone. - 



lyonn- pastern bone {as; snlf'raginis). ■- 



Sliort paslern bone (ox caroiin 

 I'edal or coffin bone (us prilia).^ 



— ■Sesamoid bones. 



Navicular bone. 



Fi^. 24. Bones of the fore digit ; posterior aspect. 



foot. (See. Fig. 24.) The tendons of these muscles pass over the sesamoid 

 groove formed by the two sesamoid bones. This groo\e is lined by synovial 

 membrane which forms a closed sheath or bi/rsa enclosing the' tendons. 

 Sesamoiditis is an inflammation of this bursa which is accompanied by 

 acute lameness. There is usually little to indicate the seat of" lameness, 

 i>ut a .small tense swelling may be detected protruding on both sides above 

 the sesamoid lones. Kxcept when associated with rheumatism, sesamoiditis 

 is a rare condition but a grave one. It is very difficult to cure on account 

 of the movement continually occurring when the flexor muscles act. 

 The bursa may become ulcerated, or iibrous adhesions may form between 

 the tendons and the cartilage covering the Ijones, 



Treatment consists in the putting on of a high-heeled shoe to relieve 

 the pressure of the flexor tendons; complete rest to avoid tendon friction; 



