778 DISEASES AND TllEIE TREATMENT. 



blister may be vised. The biniodidc of mercury ointment may be 

 well rubbed in several times, or a cantharides blister may be used. 

 Third. Letting the synovial fluid out. This is done with an 

 instrument called "the aspirator," which is a bottle attached to a 

 small suction pump, or, more properly, a syringe attached to a 

 bottle, and worked so as to draw out the fluid. The method of 

 operating is as follows: Force the needle of the aspirator mto the 

 wind-gall and draw ofl" the fluid. When it is all drawn, inject a 

 little of the following solution into the part: — 



^ ounce tincture iodine. 



20 grains iodide of potassium. 



3 ounces water. 



Bandage well and keep the parts wet with cold water. The 



Fig. 686. — Graduated hypodermic syringe. 



bandages to remain on from three to five days. This produces an 

 adhesive inflammation of the part. This treatment can be used 

 with safety in all cases where there is enlargement of the sheaths 

 of the tendons. It cannot be safely used in what is called a blood 

 spavin, because there is danger of puncturing the vein, and 

 secondly, may extend into the true hock-joint, which would in- 

 duce so much inflammation as to produce a stiflf joint, or even sup- 

 puration of the coverings of the bone, which would finally destroy 

 life. The hypodermic syringe, shown above, may be used. 



Navicular-Joint Lameness. 



It is estimated that this is the cause of fully nine-tenths of all 

 serious and obscure cases of lameness in the fore-feet. I refer to 

 it at the commencement of the Medical Department, page 745, as 

 one of the principal causes of trouble, wliich it is important to 

 know how to treat. If neglected, or not treated properly, in from 

 three to six months, such changes of structure, or degeneration, 

 take place in the parts as to make cure impossible; when it is 

 termed "groggy, or chronic lameness," which of course spoils the 

 horse; and when it is seen that it is the best horses, usually favor- 



