52 DISEASES OF THE SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES AND ARTICULATIONS. 



rapidly. Infection of the synovial membrane is soon followed by 

 necrosis and erosion of the articular cartilages, as well as by softening 

 and inflammatory change in the ligaments, etc. 



Treatment. Should the patient be in reasonably good condition, but 

 otherwise of no particular value, it should at once be slaughtered. If, on 

 the other hand, it possess a special value, and the owner wish to preserve 



its life, the same antiseptic 

 ^ .' treatment should be adopted 



as was indicated in dealing 

 with suppurating synovitis of 

 tendon sheaths. The loss of 

 the articular cartilage of the 

 joint is followed by free granu- 

 lation and union of the apposed 

 surfaces of bone resulting in 

 anchylosis of the joint and 

 /^l 'Tspr''^^''*^ . ^^ 'll^K qualified recovery. Such re- 



sults, however, are only likely 

 to follow in relatively light 

 animals w^hich are capable of 

 standing for considerable 

 periods. 



II.— STRAINS OF JOINTS. 



When, in consequence of 

 muscular contraction or ex- 

 ternal violence, the bony sur- 

 faces constituting a joint are 

 displaced so as to stretch, 

 lacerate, or partially tear the 

 ligaments, synovial capsule or 

 tendons supporting the joint, 

 so-called sprain, or strain, or 

 w^rench results. The articular surfaces are not sufficiently displaced to 

 cause luxation, but a series of periarticular injuries result, and are 

 followed by the symptoms which we recognise as those of strain. Joints 

 in which movement is restricted within narrow limits, such as the hock 

 or fetlock, are most liable to such injuries, which also occur in very freely 

 movable articulations like the shoulder and stifle. 



Fig. 20. — Suppurative arthritis following 

 traumatic osteo-periostitis. 



STRAIN OF THE SHOULDER. 



This accident is produced by the animal falling on its side, by slipping 

 at the moment of landing, the limb being extended and in contact with 



