BRUSHING AT THE FETLOCK 107 



resting the animal, and applying cooling astringent lotion followed by a 

 mild blister. Young hunters four years old, with tender fetlocks and only 

 slightly lame, should rest for one or two weeks, when gentle walking 

 exercise should be given ; meanwhile cold water bandages or cold douches 

 are applied to the joint. If sufficient rest be given, there is no necessity 

 in these cases for the application of a blister, since the affection is usually 

 significant of the animals having been too severely worked. Upon 

 recovery, therefore, less strenuous work should be recommended, other- 

 wise a recurrence of lameness is a likely sequel. When lameness is due 

 to a blow on the joint, hot applications should be utilised. 



Not infrequently contusions over the joint lead to abscess formation. 

 It is not difficult to foretell the appearance of an abscess, for in these 

 cases instead of the swelling becoming markedly reduced after two or 

 three days' treatment with hot applications, it becomes increased in size. 

 If the part be carefully examined and palpated, a tender spot will usually 

 be discovered, which indicates the fact that the abscess is pointing, and in 

 this position it will burst if not previously surgically opened. After the 

 abscess contents have been evacuated, the cavity should be treated as an 

 ordinary granulating wound. 



In cases of fetlock lameness it is frequently advantageous to follow up 

 the treatment by blistering, or firing and blistering, the joint. 



BRUSHING AT THE FETLOCK 



This is the term applied to an injury received by the inner aspect 

 of the fetlock joint, caused by the animal striking it during progression 

 with some part of the foot of the opposite limb or the shoe. In these 

 cases the injury is usually more after the nature of a bruise than a cut. 



The causes very much resemble those of speedy cutting, such as 

 debility, some defect in the conformation of the limbs, irregularity in the 

 action of the joints, 6cc. 



