LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 125 



freely opens the sheath above the fetlock. In the first instance, 

 the condition is much more painful; swelling is intense in some 

 cases; and if the subject does not possess sufficient resistance so 

 that spontaneous resolution promptly occurs, surgical evacua- 

 tion of pus is usually necessary. When these tendon sheaths 

 are opened, there follows a reaction which is quite analogous to 

 that which exists in arthritic synovitis, but instead of ankylosis, 

 adhesions with thecal obliteration occur. Rarely there result 

 cartilaginous and osseous formations. 



The constitutional disturbances Avhich characterize this con- 

 dition vary with the degree of distress occasioned. As the in- 

 fection is virulent and causes serious destruction of the affected 

 parts, so does evidence of malaise and finally distress appear. 

 Detailed discussions of symptomatology in similar conditions 

 have heretofore been given, and further repetition is unneces- 

 sary. 



Treatment. — The same general plan of treatment which is 

 employed for handling open joint is put in practice in these 

 cases. Following the preoperative cleansing of the exteriuil 

 wound and adjacent surfaces, where lilieral drainage exists, 

 tincture of iodin is injected into the sheath, the parts covered 

 with a suita])le dressing powder, and th^ entire meml)er is care- 

 fully dressed with cotton and bandages. 



Subsequent treatment is the same as has been outlined \n the 

 discussion of open fetlock joint on page 112. The same general 

 plan of after-care is necessary. Recovery, however, does not 

 require so much time ordinarily, yet punctures of the sheath 

 occasioned by nails or other siiuiU implcmeiiis make for long 

 draAvn out cases of infective synovitis. 



Luxation of the Fetlock Joint. 



Etiology and Occurrence. — The numner of construction of 

 the fetlock joint is such that disarticulntion without irreparable 

 injury resulting, is practically impossil)l\ Logically, this joint 

 in the fore legs (not so in the pelvic limbs) should disarticulate 

 in such nu^mer that eitlier all of the inhibitory apparatus (flexor 

 tendons and suspensory ligament) nnist rupture or a lateral 

 luxation is necessary. Lateral disarticulation must necessarily 



