LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 



153 



arthritis of the fetlock joint are irritations from concussion and 

 contusions due to interfering. The condition occurs in young 

 animals tliat are over-driven in livery service or other similar 

 exhausting work, where they become so weary that serious injury 

 is done these parts by striking the pasterns with the feet — inter- 

 fering. In these "leg-weary" animals, that are always kept 

 shod with fairly heavy shoes, much direct injury is done at times 





Fig. 20— Rarefying osteitis whereir articular cartilage was destroyed in a 

 case of arthritis of fetlock joint. 



by concussion due to self-inflicted blov/.s. In older animals, 

 where there exists similar conditions, with respect to their being 

 worn from fatigue and, in addition, periarticular inflammatory 

 organizations, arthritis is not of uncommon occurrence. 



Symptomatology. — In true arthritis there exists a very pain- 

 ful affection which is characterized by manifestations of distress. 

 The subject may keep the extremity moving about — where pain 

 is great — suspended and swinging. There is sAvelling which is 

 more or less hot to the touch and compression of the parts with 

 the fingers increases pain. Lameness is always pronounced and 

 no weight is supported witli the affected member in very acute 

 and generalized arthritic inflammations. There occurs the usual 



