228 HIP-JOINT (or round-bone) lameness. 



of (hip-joint) lameness ; but it must have been observed that, when 

 this disease is of a chronic character, such remedies have produced 

 no effect. Blisters, setons, and especially the heated iron, are the 

 only means that can be employed. 



The cautery is strongly heated ; but if employed in the usual 

 manner, it leaves unsightly blemishes, and sometimes does not 

 produce a sufficient impression on the part to restore it to its former 

 healthy state. 



My method of proceeding, which I believe to be a novel one, 

 which has succeeded in a great majority of cases, and which at 

 present is generally employed at Naples, consists in making an 

 incision from above, below, through the skin which covers the 

 articulation. In order properly to perform this, it is necessary 

 for the operator to insure himself of the coxo-femoral articulation^ 

 that he may not cut upon the trochanter, as is often done by per- 

 sons ignorant of anatomy. In order to be certain of the place 

 where the incisions ought to be made, the animal should be urged 

 to make a slight movement forwards, and then one backwards, the 

 hand being kept pressed the while upon the articulation, which 

 is deeply situated, anteriorly to the trochanter. Having found 

 the precise spot opposite the joint, mark the place by clipping 

 the hair off with scissars. 



Then, having properly secured the animal, make an incision 

 through the skin from above below, as before described, sepa- 

 rating by dissection the common integument from the cellular 

 tissue beneath it, and envelope the flaps in pieces of lint previ- 

 ously steeped in water. The flaps being held apart by two tena- 

 cula, a budding iron, not greatly heated, is applied three or four 

 times on the denuded articulation, care being taken to introduce 

 the finger from time to time down to the bottom of the wound, in 

 order to ascertain the depth of the perforation, as well as to be 

 assured that the joint is not opened, as has happened at the hands of 

 inexperienced operators. The tenacula and the lint guarding the 

 flaps of integument are then removed. 



A pledget of tow with marsh mallow ointment may be applied 

 to the wound, or it may be left without dressing, precaution being 

 taken to prevent the horse lying down or hitting or rubbing the 



