154 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



facial manifestations of pain — the tense condition of the facial 

 muscles and the fixed eye and nostril are in evidence 



In cases Avhere there exists a synovitis or where a very limited 

 portion of the articulation is involved, a somewhat different clin- 

 ical picture is presented. Then, the disturbance causes less dis- 

 tress; local SM'elling and evidence of supersensitiveness are not 

 so pronounced and lameness is not intense, though weight-bearing 

 is painful. 



Prognosis. — There is a constant difference in the degree of 

 pain manifested, as well as the other symptoms of inflammation, 

 between true arthritis, which involves much of the joint, and 

 synovitis; or synovitis plus a small circumscribed area of joint 

 involvement. This difference is present in all joint affections 

 of the extremities and, in passing, it is well to say that infection 

 usually increases every manifestation of pain. Infection occasions 

 more pronounced local symptoms of inflammation and, l)ecause 

 of the rapid progress of necrotic destruction of cartilage, the 

 course of the affection is usually rapid; ankylosis is a frequent 

 result and loss of the subject is often inevitable. However, in 

 non-infective arthritis of the fetlock joint, prognosis is favor- 

 able. 



Treatment. — The same general principles which are employed 

 in arthritis of other joints are used here. Eest and comfort for 

 the patient is sought in every available manner. If the subject 

 remains standing too long, the sling should be used and a well- 

 bedded box-stall will contribute much to the comfort of the 

 patient. 



Pain and acute inflammation is diminished or controlled, if 

 possible, by using ice-cold packs. In nervous, well-bred animals 

 analgesic agents may be employed; or small doses of morphin 

 sulphate — one to two grains — given at intervals of three hours 

 during the first stages of the affection is very beneficial. This 

 is especially indicated in infectious arthritis. 



As inflammation subsides, hot applications are used and finally 

 counter irritants are employed. Their selection is a matter of 

 choice with the practitioner. The object sought is the same 

 with every practitioner and while methods employed vary, re- 



