850 



KNUCKLING AT THE FETLOCK. 



description of median neurectomy, see the section on " Ringbone " 

 hereafter. As the neurectomy wound rarely heels by first intention, 

 it must, during the first few days, be frequently cleansed to prevent 

 discharge running down and infecting the lower point of operation. 

 The excessive dorsal flexion (Fig. 484) following simultaneous 

 section of the perforans and perforatus tendons, particularly in heavy 

 horses, may be removed by wearing a long bar-shoe. If needful, an 

 iron crutch, with fork-shaped arms reaching to a point just below 

 the fetlock-joint, or Bourgelat's " swan's-neck " support may be 

 affixed to the heels of the shoe, to afford the joint a surface on which 

 to rest. Sometimes the suspensory ligament is contracted, causing 

 the fetlock to remain upright, even after 

 complete division of the perforans and per- 

 foratus tendons, a condition which experience 

 tends to show is incurable. It occurs not 

 only after strain and thickening of the sus- 

 pensory ligament, but also after severe and 

 old-standing " knuckling." 



Horses which are " knuckled," if worked 

 slowly and on soft ground, may be made 

 useful for a long time by applying a long- 

 toed shoe, though this will not cure or even 

 improve the original disease. Tendinitis 

 occurring during infectious disease, especially 

 during influenza, requires special attention, 

 while, to prevent relapse, such animals should 

 not be too soon put to work, or otherwise 

 exerted ; during the convalescent stage particular caution is called 

 for, and the tendons may be bandaged with advantage. 



If, during the course of an infectious disease, inflammation of 

 the tendons or tendon sheaths occurs, mild stimulation and bandaging 

 constitute the best primary treatment. When pain is severe, luke- 

 warm disinfectant foot-baths often relieve it. In other cases, warm 

 moist applications and moderate pressure on the diseased tendons 

 may be resorted to. Sometimes the condition disappears with 

 unexpected rapidity, but generally returns in the same or some 

 other spot, and may often involve both limbs. The degree of 

 swelling and pain forms an index to the gravity of the condition, 

 which sometimes resists blistering and even firing, and not infrequently 

 proves incurable. In other cases, and especially where there is no 

 marked anatomical change, recovery may occur after many months. 



Fig. 485. — Special shoe 

 for " knuckling." 



