CAPPED HOCK. 1019 



Recent cases of hydrops in the subcutaneous bursa, or perforatus 

 bursa, should be treated by blistering, by the compound cantharides 

 and euphorbium plaster, or by cantharides-collodion. The last 

 two form a firm, unyielding covering on the surface of the skin, which 

 exerts continuous pressure on the inflamed swelling, and assists 

 resorption of fluid from the bursa. Cantharides-collodion is even 

 more convenient than the plaster, though it must be repeatedly 

 applied at short intervals, and the neighbourhood of the swelling 

 covered so as to produce a sufficiently firm covering. Moderately 

 active preparations are preferable to severe blisters. Exercise is 

 very useful, except during the inflammatory stages. 



Practitioners differ as to the advisability of surgical interference, 

 mainly because the various forms of capped hock are not always 

 differentiated. 



Puncture of the swelling with the hollow needle or slender trocar 

 is seldom of service, the contents being soon replaced. It might 

 perhaps be advantageously supplemented by the use of plaster or 

 collodion, applied immediately after operation. 



In capped hock the knife has been employed with very varying 

 success. Laying open the distended bursa subcutanea is seldom 

 dangerous, and sometimes removes the hygroma ; but the result 

 is not certain, and depends principally on the degree of inflammation 

 excited. Lanzillotti-Buonsanti operated successfully in two cases 

 of distension of the subcutaneous bursa. Proceeding with strict 

 antiseptic precautions he made a half -moon-shaped incision on the 

 outer surface of the swelling, and through it he enucleated the wall 

 of the bursa. Sutures were inserted after the horse had risen, and 

 a drainage-tube was introduced in the lower angle of the wound. A 

 dressing was not applied. Healing occurred by primary intention. 

 Opening of the bursa tendinea, however, is not advisable, and in 

 incising the bursa subcutanea care must be taken not to injure the 

 flexor pedis perforatus. The doubtful success which has attended 

 operation for capped hock is principally to be referred to the tendon 

 sheath having been opened. It is better to confine treatment to 

 external applications. 



Corps-Rossartz Hell ruptures hygromata (distensions of the sub- 

 cutaneous bursa) of the point of the hock by violence. For this 

 purpose a bandage is passed round the hock whilst the animal stands 

 on the limb, the other hind foot being lifted up. If the foot be 

 then released, the horse makes such violent attempts to flex the 

 bandaged limb that the bursa may be ruptured subcutaneously, and 

 its contents dispersed. The swelling does not return. One or two 



