Common Diseases of the Horse 



215 



ever, it grows to large proportions, is hard and unsightly, and an 

 operation is decided upon, the most successful is that of removing 

 the tumour by means of an elastic ligature. This is done by cut- 

 ting the hair from the pedicle or stalk of the tumour and drawing 

 a piece of rubber cord about the thickness of a lead pencil tightly 

 around it two or three times. This soon begins to cut its way 

 through, and in from one to two weeks the tumour falls off. If 

 the stalk of the tumour is large, it may be necessary to tighten the 

 elastic occasionally. The wound that results after the tumour falls 

 off may be treated with any of the ordinary wound dressings. 



When matter forms in a capped elbow, and the swelling 

 becomes tense and painful, it is, of course, necessary to open the 

 abscess with a knife, and afterwards syringe out the cavity with 

 dilute carbolic, coal-tar, chinosol, or other weak disinfectant. When 

 there is no matter present, a capped elbow should never be opened 

 with a knife. 



Capped Hock 



This is a swelling at the 

 point of the hock. It is an 

 effusion under the skin or an 

 enlargement of the oil sheath. 

 Sometimes it is an injury to the 

 tendon which passes over this 

 part. It is caused by external 

 injuries, such as by kicking in 

 the stable or in harness, or by 

 the hocks coming in contact 

 with any hard substance. 

 Horses often cap their hocks 

 in getting up or lying down. 

 When the capping is due to in- 

 jury of the tendon, overexertion 

 is sometimes responsible, and in 

 the latter case lameness is pre- 

 sent. When the enlargement is 

 due to simple effusion or disten- 

 sion of either of the oil sheaths; 

 it is very rare that any lameness 

 is caused. In the great majority 

 of cases capped hock is not of a 

 serious nature, and very little notice need be taken of it. It is often a 

 guide, however, to a purchaser in indicating that the animal is a kicker. 



Capped Hock 



