42 RHEUMATIC LAMENESS. 



by the increased heat as well as by the manner of progression. 

 The near limb was also similarly affected, but in a considerably 

 less degree. I should have observed, that from the commence- 

 ment these limbs shewed symptoms of being affected. In the 

 course of a few days the disease in the off hock decreased, but 

 became aggravated in the near; the symptoms now being, tu- 

 mefaction, principally on the inner side, heat, tenderness on pres- 

 sure, and diminished mobility of the joints. By degrees, the 

 hind limbs, which had originally been rather straight than other- 

 wise, became bent, and the croup of course drooped. Rest, physic, 

 fomentations, bleedings from the feet, blisters, were all tried, with 

 but slight benefit. The joints were now evidently organically dis- 

 eased, and nothing short of the most violent counter-irritants pro- 

 mised mitigation. In this state the animal was disposed of to a party 

 in th(; neighbourhood, and he again became a patient of mine. After 

 giving the same opinion to the new as I had done to the former 

 owner, viz. that I must consider that there was little, if any, 

 chance of useful recovery, it was decided that strong measures 

 should be adopted. Accordingly, I passed three long setons around 

 each hock joint, which produced an enormous discharge, and very 

 considerable mitigation of the lameness : these were kept in as 

 long as possible. When the hocks had sufficiently recovered, I 

 proceeded to the use of the actual cautery with as great a degree 

 of severity as I considered justifiable, and of the strongest blisters, 

 and which were repeated several times. The hocks were, of 

 course, very much blemished ; but from this time a very slow im- 

 provement went on : at the end of about a year from this very 

 violent treatment, and more than a year and a half from the com- 

 mencement, the animal was so far improved as to be fit for some 

 kinds of work. The external enlargement of the joints had sub- 

 sided, but they never recovered their original uprightness. The 

 horse continued under my observation for a few months after this 

 period, but I did not perceive any great change ; and T doubt if 

 the disease of the hock joints would not return if put to fair work. 

 I consider this to have been a disease dependent upon a rheu- 

 matic diathesis, evolved bv over-riding. I have met with a few 



