DISEASES OF THE TENDONS AND TENDON SHEATHS. 



1031 



this tendon sheath, like wounds of the joint, require the strictest 

 antiseptic precautions. In infective inflammation, the tendon sheath 

 may advantageously be washed out with disinfectants. 



Acute aseptic inflammation usually calls for nothing more than 

 rest and ordinary soothing treatment ; but in cases where this proves 

 insufficient excellent results sometimes follow from freely firing in 

 lines. 



Fiu. 549. — External surface of the horse's hock, to show synovial sheaths, a, Tendon 

 sheath of the extensor pedis muscle ; h, tendon sheath of peroneus muscle ; c, c', 

 tendon sheath of flexor perforatus and gastrocnemius muscles ; d, protrusion of 

 the synovial capsule of the true hock- joint. 



Chronic dropsy of the bursa is also benefited by the cautery. 

 Peuch fires deeply with the pointed iron. Repeated withdrawal 

 of contents, by means of a Pravaz syringe, is sometimes very 

 efficacious. The operation may be repeated every four to six weeks, 

 though careful antisepsis is required to prevent infection of the tendon 

 sheath. For many years French operators have recommended with- 

 drawal of the contents, followed by iodine injections. Cadiot describes 

 the results as excellent. McCall withdraws almost the entire contents 



