208 DISEASES OF THE JOINTS. 



if it be in one of the posterior articulations, such as the hock, 

 it is often necessary to place the animal in slings. Fomenta- 

 tions of warm water must be applied to the part repeatedly, 

 and some soothing application rubbed on, such as a weak 

 solution of opium or aconite. The shoe must be removed ; 

 but if the practitioner thinks that the patient will be able to 

 rest better with a high-heeled shoe, it should be immediately 

 applied. 



The constitutional treatment will depend upon the severity 

 of the symptoms. In all cases a moderately strong purgative is 

 beneficial ; and if the pain be very great, opium, two or three 

 times a day, will best relieve it ; care being taken that the bowels 

 do not become constipated. When the pain is less acute, aconite 

 may be used in preference to the opium. 



If these remedies fail to give relief in the course of three or 

 four days, a blister must be applied. No bad results need be 

 feared from such an application. In many cases the pain will 

 subside and the fever abate in the course of a few hours after 

 the blister has commenced to act. 



If any lameness and thickening of the joint threaten to 

 remain, it may be necessary to apply the actual cautery. 



In conclusion, it must be borne in mind that absolute repose 

 of the part affected, if such a thing were possible in our prac- 

 tice, must be the first and greatest consideration in the treat- 

 ment of the disease. 



CHRONIC SCROFULOUS SYNOVITIS. 



(See Photo-lithograph, Plate II., Fig. 2.) 



This affection is, within my experience, confined to horned 

 cattle, where the process of " in-and-in" breeding has been 

 carried out to too great an extent. The joints most usually 

 affected are the elbow and stifle, and the foot-joints in the 

 disease called " foul in the foot." It attacks animals of all ages, 

 but generally they are three years old and upwards. 



At the outset, it is difficult of diagnosis, the symptoms being a 

 lameness arising from no apparent cause, without swelling, or 

 any indication of pain other than the lameness ; but after a time 

 a slight swelling may appear, about the joint affected, without 



