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CHAPTER VII. 

 DISEASES OF SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES. 



Synovial membranes are given for the purpose of 

 lubricating joints, and other parts of the frame sub- 

 jected to friction. These membranes are plentifully 

 furnished with nerves and blood-vessels. They are, 

 therefore, as may readily be supposed, subject to in- 

 flammation, which is always accompanied by an undue 

 secretion, which, occasionally, by pressure on surround- 

 ing vessels, causes partial lameness. 



BOG SPAVIN. 



Bog spavin is occasioned by inflammation of the 

 synovial bag ; it presents itself at the inner portion of 

 the hock, or where the joint is fixed, and blood spavin 

 is occasioned by the obstruction to the circulation of the 

 blood passing through the superficial vein of the hock, 

 consequent on the enlarged synovial capsule — or bog 

 spavin, as it is usually termed. 



These capsules used to be opened and their contents 

 evacuated; but the operation more frequently killed 

 than cured the patient. 



