526 THE DISEASE,- OF THE HORSE 



out such treatment the tumour becomes solidified. The method of procedure 

 then is to first cast the patient with hobbles, and then having secured him 

 in a favourable position, make a bold incision the whole length of the tumour, 

 dissecting out the cyst completely so that only the loose folds of skin remain. 

 No portion of this apparently superfluous skin must be removed, as in a few 

 days it will appear as if the ojjerator had introduced a larger tumour instead 

 of removing the existing one, so great is the subsequent swelling. This may 

 be induced to subside and the tendency to fill up with new material prevented 

 by the application of a fly-blister to the skin on either side of the surgical 

 wound. In the majority of cases nothing more is left than a slight thicken- 

 ing and a coarseness of the hair ai'ound the parts not previously observable. 

 WiNDGALLS, OR PUFFS, are the most usual forms of these enlargements, 

 and may be observed in the legs (hind as well as fore) of nearly every hard- 

 worked horse, after a time. Great care in the management of the legs by 

 bandaging will sometimes keep them off", and some horses have naturally' 

 no tendency to form them ; but in most cases, on examining the legs, just 

 above the fetlock joints, of horses at work, a little oval bag may be felt on 

 each side, between the back sinew and the bone. If recent, it is soft and 

 puffy ; but if the work is hard, and the windgall is of long standing, it 

 will be as tense as a drum. The synovial bag has no communication with 

 the fetlock joint ; but there is another sac in front of the joint, and beneath 

 the tendons of the extensors, which is often enlarged, though not so much 

 so as the seat of the true Avindgall, and which is generally, though not 

 always, continuous with the synovial capsule of the joint. The treatment 

 consists in pressure by means of bandages, and the application of cold 

 lotions, if the legs are hot and inflamed. Blistering and rest will remove 

 them entirely; but no sooner is the horse put to work again, than they 

 return as badly as ever. There is no radical cure but subcutaneous 

 puncture and scarification, and this will produce too much adhesion to be 

 advantageously applied. 



The form of tiioroughpin in which the bursa mucosa between the 

 tendo Achillis and the tendo perforatus is inflamed and filled with synovia, 

 has been alluded to at page 524, and its treatment is there described. 



Capped hock is always the result of a bruise of the superficial bursa, 

 ^vhich is situated on the point of the hock, immediately beneath the skin. 

 It is generally caused by lying on a bare floor. Some horses have a habit 

 of getting the bedding from under them, and this is one of the results; it 

 may also indicate either that the possessor has kicked in the stable or in 

 harness ; but it is more frequently caused in the former way than in the 

 latter. The swelling is sometimes slight, being then just sullicicnt to show 

 the point slightly enlarged, and to give a soft, puffy sensation to the fingers, 

 where there ought to be nothing but bone felt beneath the skin. The 

 bursa always rolls freely on the bone, and when large, it can be laid hold of 

 and shaken like a bladder of water. 



Treatment. — In recent cases massage aided by equal parts of soap 

 liniment and water may succeed in dispei'sal of this unsightly but other- 

 wise harmless swelling. Evaporating lotions are also recommended, and 

 these may be applied on a piece of stout calico or fine canvas shaped into a 

 cap, carefully fitting the point of tlie hock ; and this being tied by several 

 pieces of tape in front of the leg, will allow not only of the application of cold 



