180 THE STOCK OWJSEli's ADVISEE. 



EHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. 



This condition of the synovial membrane is probably due to 

 the peculiar inflammation which has been termed rheumatic 

 gout, or chronic rheumatic arthritis. The disease may be a con- 

 stitutional or local disorder; the constitutional, originating from 

 exposure to cold when the body has been over-heated, or as a 

 sequel to rheumatic fever; the local, from over-exertion or acci- 

 dent. 



Symptoms. — There will be a singular rigidity in the affected 

 joints, which, when first moved, emit a crackling sound. In 

 some cases there may be painful spasms of the muscles. There 

 will be swelling around the affected joints, which are painful 

 and tender to the touch. The synovial bursae in connection with 

 the affected joints is frequently found distended, and synovial 

 cysts become developed in the areola tissue, having no commu- 

 nication with the joint. The fluid in the cysts finally becomes 

 absorbed and converted into solid tumors. 



Treatment. — The treatment can, generally, only be pallia- 

 tive, and is chiefly constitutional. Nitrate of potash in three- 

 draohm doses may be given. Salicylate of soda has been used 

 with good results in some cases. The bowels should be regu- 

 lated by an occasional purgative, the animal carefully fed and 

 put to slow, light work. The patient should be kept in a com- 

 fortable, dry box, and a liniment, composed of equal parts of 

 ammonia, turpentine, and linseed oil, should be aj^plied three or 

 four times a day to the diseased joints. 



TRAUMATIC INFLAMMATION OF JOINTS. 



An open joint, when occasioned by puncture or incision, is not 

 at first attended with severe local or constitutional disturbance, 

 but in about ten days pain comes on and spreads over the joint, 

 which soon presents a considerable amount of swelling. The 

 swelling soon becomes hard and unyielding, accompanied by 

 great constitutional disturbance; the pulse is frequent, hard and 



