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DISEASES OF THE HOCK. 



Hygroma of the bursa Bubcutanea has an elastic character, and the 



swelling lies just under the skin, while hydrops of the tendon sheath 

 is deeper seated, and is covered by the flexor pedis perforatus. 

 Swelling of the tendon itself is characterised by greater hardness — 

 a feature still more marked in exostosis on the tuber calcanei. 



In acute inflammation, increased warmth and pain can be detected. 

 Purulent cellulitis and disease of the bursa subcutanea may lead to 

 well-marked and widely-distributed swelling ; the tumour on the 

 point of the hock is then rounded in shape, 

 and may attain a large size. In aseptic in- 

 flammation, on the contrary, swelling is 

 confined to the seat of injury. 



Lameness is rarely marked, and never 

 occurs in simple injury of the skin or 

 mucous bursa. Even when purulent in- 

 flammation sets in, it seldom produces 

 lameness. On the other hand, inflammation 

 of the flexor pedis perforatus, of its bursa, 

 or of the tuberosity of the os calcis, may 

 produce great difficulty in movement ; in- 

 fective conditions in these structures are 

 generally accompanied by severe lameness ; 

 but in all aseptic processes lameness is 

 absent, or only occurs during development. 

 Prognosis. Serous capped hock can 

 seldom be cured, though the removal of 

 cutaneous thickening is less difficult. 

 Hygroma of the bursa subcutanea is 

 ock usually obstinate, but can sometimes be 

 (dropsy of the subcutaneous improved, or even completely cured, 

 bursa of the hock). Disease of the flexor pedis perforatus or 



of its bursa is always more serious, and generally incurable, as is 

 thickening of the os calcis, though recent cases sometimes improve 

 under proper treatment. As mucous or subcutaneous capped hock 

 seldom produces lameness, the working powers are not much in- 

 terfered with. Even in draught-horses it is far less grave than curb. 

 Treatment. As a preventive the sides of the stall should be 

 padded, and the animal, if inclined to kick at night, should be hobbled. 

 Hock boots may be worn. Where acute inflammation exists, cold 

 applications are indicated, as in curb. Wounds must be carefully 

 disinfected. In disease of the skin and mucous bursa, resolvent 

 applications and massage are most useful. 



