143 



ments. But a partial paralysis of the nerve-force of one mus- 

 cle or set of muscles would permit of an irregular and exalted 

 or spasmodic action on the part of its opposing or antagonistic 

 muscle, or set of muscles. Now the antagonists of the exten- 

 sor muscles are the gastrocnemii, and hence spasmodic irregu- 

 lar nervous action of the extensors, aided by the 



PECULIAR PHYSIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTE 



of the hock joint already explained, constitutes the affection 

 known as Stringhalt. 



DR. BUSTEED'S BELIEF. 



I must not omit to allude to the view taken of the matter by 

 Dr. Busteed, of New York. This observer locates the malady 

 in the astragalo-tibial articulation, where he has found appear- 

 ances of an ulcerated condition. I do not think, however, the 

 facts and observations upon which Dr. Busteed founds his 

 hypothesis, sufficiently numerous, to characterise them as any- 

 thing more than suggestions as to a possible cause in some 

 occasional instances. 



PROFESSOR SPOONER'S STRICTURES. 



Professor Spooner has stated in his lectures that the appar- 

 ently abnormal condition observed by Dr. Busteed is by no 

 means uncommon in horses which have shown no tendency 

 whatever to Stringhalt, or lameness of any kind whatever. His 

 explanation of the phenomenal appearance observed by Dr. 

 Busteed is, that arising from severe and protracted labor, or 

 some other cause, there may be a deficiency of synovia in the 

 joint, which would induce attrition in the deep sulcus where 

 this lesion is always found ; and that the articular cartilage 

 which is worn away by this attrition being non-sensitive, no 

 inflammatory action ensues, as a rule, admitting possibly of some 

 exceptions. Besides this, inordinate pressure upon the parts 

 deprived of articular cartilage, would produce molecular ab~ 



