152 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



swelling- results within forty-eight hours the entire fetlock re- 

 gion is thoroughly vesicated and, as soon as the skin has recov- 

 ered from the effects of the vesicant, pressure bandages may be 

 employed. In these cases, subjects may be put into service after 

 all swelling which the injection or the vesicant has produced 

 has subsided. The pressure liandages are used at night or during 

 the time that the horse is in its stall and they are not worn by 

 the subject while at work. 



Where no marked swelling occurs within ten days, as the re- 

 sult of the injection of iodin, the injection may be repeated and. 

 if thought necessary, the quantity may be materially increased. 

 If sw^elling does not occur it is indicative that no particular irri- 

 tation has been caused. 



Some swelling is desirable and much swelling sometimes re- 

 sults and persists for weeks. This is not in any way likely to 

 cause permanent trouble ; and if the technic of injection is skil- 

 fully ('xecuted no infection will follow. 



By persistent and careful use of suitai)]e elastic bandages, the 

 support thus given the parts, together with the absorption of 

 products of inflammation whicli constant pressure occasions, 

 some chronic cases of synovial distension of tendon sheaths re- 

 cover in two or three months and this without other treatment. 

 Such good results are not to be expected in aged subjects, nor 

 in horses having at the same time, chronic lymphangitis. 



Where bandages of pure rubber are employed great care is 

 necessary, if one is not experienced in their use, lest necrosis 

 result. W^here bandages are unecmfoitabiy tight the subject will 

 manifest discomfort, and an attendant should observe the animal 

 at intervals for a few hours (where there may be some doubt as 

 to the degree of pressure which is exerted by elastic bandages) 

 and readjustment made before any harm is done. 



Arthritis of the Fetlock Joint. 



Anatomy. — The anatomy of the metacarpophalangeal arti- 

 culation is briefly reviewed on page 58 under the heading of 

 " Anntoino-Physiological Review of Parts of the Foreleg." 



Etiology and Occurrence. — The chief causes of non-infective 



