110 LAMENESS OP THE HORSE 



ous irritation to the aifected parts) by blistering the exostosis 

 repeatedly and allowing the animals to continue in service. In 

 such cases, it is unreasonal)le to expect to check the size of the 

 exostosis and, of course, such methods are not employed where 

 lameness causes distress to the subject. 



Firing usually causes prompt recovery from lameness and is 

 a dependable manner of treating such eases but there remains 

 more blemish following cauterization than where vesication is 

 done. 



OPEN FETLOCK JOINT. 



This condition, because of the frequency with which it occurs 

 may be taken as typal, from the standpoint of treatment and 

 results obtained therefrom. AVhile it serves to constitute a basis 

 from which other joints, when open, are to be considered, due 

 allowance must be made for the fact that, as has been previously 

 mentioned, some articulations when open constitute cause for 

 grave consequences; while with others an open capsule, even 

 when infected, does not cause disturbance enough to be classed 

 as difficult to handle. IMoreover, the fetlock joint is admirably 

 suited, anatomically, to bandaging ; and wdien wounded, is easily 

 kept protected by means of surgical dressings. This fact is of 

 great importance in influencing the course and termination in 

 any given case of open fetlock joint and should not be forgotten. 



There is no logical reason for comparing the pedal joint with 

 the pastern on the basis that it may also be completely and se- 

 curely bandaged. Open navicular joint does not occur, as a 

 rule, except by way of the solar surface of the foot, and the in- 

 troduction of active and virulent contagium is certain to happen; 

 consequently, an acute synovitis quickly rosidting in an intensely 

 septic and progressively destructive arthritis soon follows in 

 perforation of the capsule of the distal inlerphalangeal articula- 

 tion. 



Etiology and Occurrence. — Wounds of the fetlock region re- 

 sulting in perforation or destruction of a part of the capsular 

 ligament are caused by all sorts of accidents, such as wire cuts, 

 incised wounds occasioned l)y plowshares, disc harrows, stalk 

 cutters and other farming implements. In runaways the joint 



