162 GENERAL ANATOMY. 



amputation of the thigh, between the end of the bone and the 

 cicatrix. 



Dropsy of the sub-cutaneous synovial bursae, constitutes hy- 

 groma, an affection known to the ancients, that is observed 

 particularly in the knee, before the patella of persons who ha- 

 bitually rest on it, such as priests, nuns, the washerwomen of 

 certain countries, servants who scrub in that posture, sweeps 

 &c. and that is also occasionally, but less frequently seen in the 

 other membranes of the same species. Hygroma may acquire 

 considerable volume. It sometimes suddenly disappears with- 

 out any known cause, or after medicinal applications. I have 

 sometimes punctured it, and withdrawn a viscid serum. A 

 stimulating injection, after the fluid is abstracted, often pro- 

 duces a mutual adhesion of the walls, and an obliteration of the 

 cavity. 



The sub-cutaneous synovial bursae are susceptible of inflam- 

 mation, of suppuration, and the formation of large abscesses, 

 either from reiterated pressure, or from injections. 



ARTICLE II. 

 OF THE SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES OP THE TENDONS. 



204. The synovial membranes of the tendons, membranse 

 mucosse teridinum, are serous membranes, moistened with an 

 unctuous fluid, annexed to the tendons in the places where 

 they rub against the neighbouring parts. 



They have received the improper names of bursse, bladders, 

 capsules, of mucous, mucilaginous, synovial sheaths, &c. They 

 have long been known: Vesalius and A. Spigel mention some 

 of them. A certain number have been accurately described 

 by Albinus. Jankius was the first who gave a general descrip- 

 tion of them; he was acquainted with sixty pairs. Camper 

 was the first who gave a figure of one of these membranes. 

 It is to our celebrated Fourcroy,* as well as to Munro,t that 



* Hist, de 1'Acad. R. des Sciences. Palis, 1785, 1788. 

 f Jl description, etc. with tables. 



