ON LAMENESS FROM STRAINS. 275 



[ JVindgalls 



Are soft pufFy swellings of a similar nature to bog spavins and 

 thorough-pins. They are found both in the fore and hind legs 

 at the fetlock joint. There are two situations in which they may 

 appear ; one on each side, and at an equal distance from the 

 front and back of the fetlock joint ; the other on each side of the 

 flexor tendons. The former communicate with the fetlock joint 

 itself; the latter, which are larger and more frequent than the 

 others, with the sheatii of the flexor tendons. Thus connected, 

 there must be considerable danger in opening them. Windgalls 

 are, therefore, neither more nor less than a distension of the 

 synovial bags with synovia, and sometimes an extension of these 

 bags by a rupture of their connections. The cavities which are 

 the seat of windgalls are shown in the frontispiece plate, — one 

 just behind the lower part of the cannon, the other behind the 

 tendons. Sometimes we find these enlargements at the front of 

 the fetlock joint, or rather on each side of the extensor tendon. 

 In this case they do not communicate with the joint, but are 

 merely the distension of the mucous capsule just about the joint. 

 They are also found above the knee, and in various other parts 

 of the body. 



Blistering these windgalls Avill generally cause their disappear- 

 ance for a time ; but they are sure to return with work. Punc- 

 turing them with a needle in various places, so as to cause an 

 adhesion of the side of their Internal surfaces has been sus-o-ested, 

 and is well worth a trial. — Ed.] 



Strain of the Coffin Joint. 



[Under this term, most obscure lamenesses of the fore ex- 

 tremity used to be classed by those who were of opinion that the 

 shoulders were not the scat of injury. Later research, however, 

 has discovered that, in nine cases out of ten, the seat of these 

 obscure lamenesses is not in the coflin, but in the navicular joint 

 somewhat posterior to it. The coflin joint is so firmly secured 

 within the hoof, and is so limited in its movements, that its 

 ligaments are rarely sti'ained. This, however, is occasionally 

 the case, and may be detected by the heat round the coronet, in 

 addition to the lameness. 



The treatment must consist in bleedinoj from the foot and 

 poultices, followed by blistering the coronet. — Ed.] 



Strain dr Injury of the Loins. 



This injury is not unfrequent, and occurs chiefly to draught 

 horses, especially those in the shafts when they are keeping back 

 heavy burdens in going down hill. In doing this they often 

 slip, and not only strain the muscles of the loins, but may injure 



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