294 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



large bursa situated between the gastrocnemii externus 

 and internus. This latter is the most serious form of the 

 two, and the case is more serious yet when the burste 

 mentioned are both affected. 



Causes. — Capped hock is usually caused by blows, kicks, 

 etc., or may be due to a slightly dropsical condition, result- 

 ing from some cause not apparent, or as the result of passive 

 congestion. This is frequently the cause in heavy horses 

 with sluggish circulations. It also occasionally follows 

 diseases of a debilitating character, as influenza, etc. Where 

 an animal is met with having capped hock and a vicious eye, 

 the indications are that he is a kicker. Capped hock may 

 occur in any class of horses, but is most common among 

 heavy animals, such horses, from their sluggish circulations, 

 etc., being more predisposed to this and similar conditions 

 than the light class of horses, the latter rarely suffering 

 from capped hock, except as a result of direct injury, as 

 kicks, blows, etc. In some cases the animal may be actually 

 lame in consequence of capped hock, but such cases are very 

 rare. It is a blemish, but when it does not cause lameness 

 or interfere in any way v\dth the usefulness of the animal, it 

 cannot be considered as an unsoundness. 



Trealment. — Capped hock, trivial though it may be, is 

 nevertheless very difficult to treat successfully, and if of 

 some standing, the practitioner should explain to the owner 

 that it will take a long time to effect a cure. If the case is 

 the result of an injury recently received, fomentations and 

 cold applications should be employed to reduce any irrita- 

 tion that may be present. Hand-rubbing and the applica- 

 cation of a mild, stimulating, or anodyne liniment will be 

 found of benefit. Astringent and cooling lotions are also 

 very useful. Bandages, preferably of rubber, are highly 

 beneficial, applied so as to exert a gentle pressure upon the 

 enlargement, the chief difficulty being to retain the bandages 



