THE STUDY OF THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM 79 



wadding wrapping with bandage and splints can also be used as 

 noted in Sprain of the Tendons (par. 151). 



154. Hip- Joint Lameness may arise from a variety of causes, 

 such as sprain of the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in connexion 

 with the joint and the head of the hip bone. As in the fore-leg the 

 shoulder was generally considered the seat of lameness, so in the 

 hind-leg the hip is often pointed to when the cause is really in 

 some portion of the limb below, thus showing that lameness in this 

 part is by no means easy to trace, as it may arise from muscular 

 sprain, or from some nervous derangement, such as sciatica, etc. So 

 that before any treatment is adopted a qualified practitioner should 

 be consulted, as I have often seen a large surface of the skin perma- 

 nently damaged by the use of some fancy advertised quack nostrum, 

 the animal having rubbed the part after application and thus 

 destroyed the skin. When certain that the lameness is in the hip, 

 rest, with cold water irrigation for two or three hours twice daily, is 

 of great service. Blisters, setons, and pitch charges are, when 

 desirable, of great benefit. 



155. Windgall is a puffy, elastic swelling caused by an over- 

 secretion of synovia of the bursa mucosa, a fluid similar to joint oil, 

 and is of very common occurrence in nearly all classes of animals, 

 found at the knee and fetlock joints, etc. (Plate IX., Nos. 16 

 and 19). Some classes or stamps of animals are more prone to it 

 than others. The swelling may be brought on by overwork, or by 

 putting the animal to work too soon. It very rarely causes lame- 

 ness, or in any way interferes with the usefulness of the animal ; but 

 still, it is very unsightly and objectionable, and not easily removed. 

 The treatment consists of rest, the application of a cold water, 

 indiarubber, or adhesive plaster bandage and blistering ; also firing, 

 when very large. In olden times the enlargement was supposed to 

 contain wind, hence the name. 



156. Bog Spavin is an overdistension of the capsular ligament 

 of the hock joint, with synovia, and is found on the front and inner 

 part of the hock joint (Plate IX., No. 32), and is of the same 

 nature as windgall. It is mostly seen in cart-horses, certain strains 



