Synovial Distention. 



These conditions occur in the various regions 

 where synovial bursae are lodged and are frequently 

 of such size as to detract from the market value of 

 the animal. Many of these enlargements occur with- 

 out apparent inflammatory disturbance and seem to 

 be due chiefly to an over-active condition of the syno- 

 vial membrane. In cases exhibiting positive inflam- 

 matory signs, lameness is usually present. The treat- 

 ment of these cases varies with the location and 

 severity of the lesion. 



The cases which are under discussion in this 

 article are those ''puffs" of various kinds which come 

 to the practitioner because they are "eye-sores" on 

 the animal, detracting from his appearance of sound- 

 ness and from his value as a marketable animal. Lame- 

 ness is seldom present. For these cases we have in 

 the following operation a simple and satisfactory treat- 

 ment. 



The operation is performed at the lowest point in 

 the swelling, where an area of a square inch or two 

 is shaved and thoroughly disinfected. 



An aspirating needle is introduced and the con- 

 tents of the sac are drawn out to the last drop. When 

 this has been accomplished, the aspirating needle is 

 carefully withdrawn and a very fine hypodermic 

 needle is inserted at a considerable slant through the 



