288 WINDGALL. 



state, that sometimes, instead of pleasing results like these, have 

 supervened on the operation frightful and alarming consequences. 

 Inflammation has seized the opened sac of the windgall ; the part, 

 and with it the limb, has become enormously swollen ; the sys- 

 tem has sympathised, and fallen into a state of irritative fever ; 

 life itself even has been threatened through what has appeared so 

 simple an affair of operation. Occasional results such as these 

 have, in a great measure, deterred us from pursuing this practice. 

 Some French veterinarians appear to have been more venture- 

 some ; but whether or no on account of being more successful 

 in such undertakings, we shall make it our business hereafter to 

 inquire. 



Certainly, no operation of the kind ought to be undertaken so 

 long as any inflammation is perceptible in the part ; neither, on 

 the other hand, would a case which had become chronic, wherein a 

 great deal of thickening and alteration of the capsule of the wind- 

 gall is discoverable, be a fit one for operation. The capsule, 

 indeed, should be but slightly or hardly at all altered, and be 

 entirely free from inflammation, while it is filled to distention with 

 redundant fluid ; and then, we should say, taking it for granted 

 that nothing in the general health or condition of the animal forbids 

 it, that such was a case for the operation, providing we felt con- 

 fident enough of success to engage in its performance. 



Of the two modes which have been proposed and practised for 

 opening the sac, incision and puncture, the latter is generally pre- 

 ferred. The formidable wound, and consequent exposure of the 

 cavity of the bursa, incision inflicts, now and then excites awful 

 inflammation in the part, as well as tumefaction of the whole limb, 

 and alarms us for the result; while the only advantage over puncture 

 incision holds out is the impossibility of any fresh collection of 

 fluid so long as the wound be kept open. 



PUNCTURATION, whenever operation is determined on, is for 

 many reasons safer than incision ; and either a very small tro- 

 car or an acu-puncture needle is the best instrument we can use 

 for the purpose. Jn regard to the site of puncture, we have, 

 for our own part, generally chosen the inferior side or most de- 

 pendent part of the tumour. This, however, we are told by 

 Hurtrel d'Arboval, is wrong. He prefers the superior part of the 



