DISEASES OF HORSES 253 



a very small trocar. Our reason for special caution in these cases is 

 our fear of the possibility of the existence of diseased conditions of 

 a severe character in the pseudo joint. For the same reason we pre- 

 fer the treatment of those growths by external applications. In the 

 first stages of the disease a severe and stiff blister, such as the can- 

 tharidate of collodium, entirely covering the cyst, perhaps not yet 

 completely formed, when the inflammation has subsided, will be of 

 great benefit by its stimulating effect, the absorption it may excite, 

 and the pressure which, when dry, it will maintain upon the tumor. 

 If, however, the thickening of the growth fails to diminish, it should 

 be treated with some of the iodine preparations in the form of oint- 

 ments, pure or in combination with potassium, mercury, etc., of 

 various strengths and in various proportions. A very satisfactory 

 way to treat these cases is to burst the swelling by pressure from 

 without. A strap or strong linen bandage is placed about the hock 

 pressing on the bursa while the affected leg is on the ground, the 

 other hind foot being lifted up. When the bandage is in place re- 

 lease the leg and the horse will violently flex the bandaged limb 

 and produce pressure on the bursa with consequent bursting and 

 discharging of its contents. 



Whatever treatment may be adopted for capped hock, patience 

 must be one of the ingredients. In these parts absorption is slow and 

 the skin is very thick, and its return to a soft, pliable, natural 

 condition, if effected at all, will only take place after weeks added 

 to other weeks of medical treatment and patient waiting. 



STRINGHALT. 



This is an involuntary movement of one or both hind legs, in 

 which the foot is suddenly and spasmodically lifted from the ground 

 much higher than it is normally carried, with excessive flexion of 

 one bone upon the other. This peculiarity is usually prominent, 

 although it may disappear with work, only to reappear after a short 

 rest. Sometimes it is most apparent at a trot, sometimes at a walk, 

 and other times only when turned around ; or it may not be affected 

 by the gait of the horse. It does not seem to be influenced by^the 

 horse's age, young and old being alike affected. Its first manifes- 

 tations are sometimes very slight. It has been noticed as occurring 

 in an animal when backing out of his stable and ceasing immediately 

 after. In some animals it is best seen when the animal is turning 

 around on the affected leg, and it is not noticed when he moves 

 straight forward. That this peculiar action^ interferes with facility 

 of locomotion and detracts from a horse's claim to soundness can not 

 for a moment be denied. 



Cause. Veterinarians and pathologiste are yet in doubt in re- 

 spect to the cause of this affection, as well as to its essential nature. 

 Whether it results from disease of the hock, of an ulcerative char- 

 acter; whether it springs from a malformation^ whether it is a 

 shortening of the ligaments, a chronic inflammation of the sciatic 

 nerve, or a disease of the spinal cord ; whether it is purely a muscular 

 or purely a nervous lesion, or a compound of both it still continues, 



