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ol'K.N SESAMOID SHEATH. 



I 



and compression by bandages fails to remove them. They seldom 

 cause lameness unless injured, as may happen from " cutting or 

 brushing." 



II. SUPPURATIVE INFLAMMATION OF THE SESAMOID SYNOVIAL 

 SHEATH OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. OPEN SHEATH. 



This sheath extends from the level of the buttons of the lateral 

 metacarpal bones to the middle of the posterior surface of the os 

 coronse, where it is separated from the 

 small sesamoid or navicular sheath by an 

 attachment of the perforans tendon. It 

 lines the sesamoid pulley and aponeurosis 

 of the fetlock and is reflected on the flexor 

 tendons. 



Acute infective inflammation of this 

 sheath usually follows mechanical injuries 

 like stabs with stable forks, wounds from 

 harrow-tines, reaper or scythe blades, or 

 contused wounds the result of running 

 away ; or infection may arise by extension 

 from suppurating disease of the foot, 

 navicular sheath, coronary abscess, gathered- 

 nail, &c. Chronic purulent inflammation 

 of this sheath may also follow "cutting" 

 or " brushing/' and sometimes cases arise 

 unaccountably during an attack of strangles 

 or pneumonia. 



The wound, however caused, suppurates 

 and is particularly dangerous, because the 

 tendons are very frequently invaded. The 

 symptoms consist in severe lameness, in- 

 ability to stand on the limb, and discharge 

 of a purulent synovia from the wound in 

 the tendon sheath. There is usually cellu- 

 litis of the surrounding (issues and con- 

 siderable local swelling and oedema extending 

 up the leg. High fever is not infrequently 

 present, and the animal either stands persistently with the affected 

 limb raised, or lies down continuously. 



The prognosis should be reserved, because death may follow 

 from general infection or as a result of the animal continuously lying 

 down, or, in the event of its standing, severe laminitis may develop in 



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Kh;. 554. - Enlargement of 

 the bursa of the extensor 

 pedis tendon (/, in schema 

 <«f tin- tendon sheaths of 

 the fore limb. Fig. 471). 



