WOUNDS, BRUISES, AND ABSCESS. 291 



find it at tlie point of tlie elbow, where it is termed capiilet, and 

 is produced by a bruise from the heel of the shoe in lying down. 

 We also find it at the point of the hock, where it is termed capped 

 hock, and is occasioned by kicking in the stable against the stall 

 post. It has been stated by authors, that the fluid in capped 

 hocks is collected within the capsular sheath of the tendon ; but 

 if we examine this sheath, we shall find that its great streno'th 

 renders such distension impossible. The fluid, in fact, is col- 

 lected outside the tendinous sheath, but underneath the strong 

 cellular membrane, which is here interj^osed between the skin 

 and the tendon, in order to admit the extensive motion of the 

 hock. 



"\Ve sometimes find considerable collections of serum in the 

 thigh, either behind or on the inside of the stifle joint, and also 

 on the inside of the fore leg, where it is produced by striking. 



The treatment of serous abscess is sometimes tedious and 

 troublesome, which is owing principally to the fact that, if we 

 evacuate the fluid, it is sure to form again, frequently several 

 times, and is often attended by much inflammation. If the col- 

 lection of fluid be not extensive, we may first endeavour to dis- 

 perse it by external stimulants : in this attempt, however, we 

 shall generally fail, when we must evacuate it by making a 

 considerable opening, so as to admit a fi'ce escape for the fluid 

 which will again form, or, what will still be better, we may insert 

 a seton through the tumour. After this, a solution of blue or 

 white vitriol should be injected, so as to stimulate the sides of 

 the cavity, and produce an altered action. After some time, 

 pus will be secreted instead of serum, and then the part will 

 soon get well. By this mode of treatment, I have succeeded 

 in curing both capulets and capped hocks ; hut the latter with 

 greater difficulty than the former. — Ed.] 



Injuries of Bones. 



[^Yhcn a bone is much injured, citlier in a lacei'ated wound or 

 a bruise producing an abscess, it is still more essential to make a 

 large external opening, and to keep it open for some time ; for 

 the chances are that a portion of the bone will exfoliate; when 

 this appears likely to take place, we may expedite the process by 

 applying a strong caustic to the bone. 



I lately met with a case in which a horse ran with great 

 violence against the coi-ner of a lamp post, which caused a very 

 deep and extensive wound in the breast, and injured the breast 

 bone to such a degree that three or four pieces of the bone ex- 

 foliated at different times before the wound would heal. The 

 application of the caustic proved very serviceable, and tiie animal 



entirely recovered. 



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