416 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



in hygroma of the stifle, and sometimes in the fetlock. 

 From a study of these, we know that they may be induced 

 by frequent attacks of acute synovitis, from repeated slight 

 injuries or bruises, or from strains to the ligaments of the 

 joint; or that they may be chronic from the outset. We 

 know, too, that in such cases the synovial membrane be- 

 comes thickened, and that in places it may have extended 

 somewhat over the edges of the articular cartilages. It is 

 only fair to suppose that such changes occur also in the 

 pedal articulation. In that case we may take it for certain 

 that the natural rigidity of the surrounding structures 

 has the effect of pushing the thickened membrane further 

 between the bones of the joint than occurs in a like condi- 

 tion elsewhere, leading, of course, to a lameness that is 

 marked in degree but occult as to cause. 



In our minds there is no doubt that many of the occult 

 and chronic forms of foot-lameness we meet with in prac- 

 tice are in this way to be accounted for. We may, in fact, 

 explain them by suggesting either a chronic synovitis alone, 

 or a synovitis complicated with periostitis. 



Treatment of Synovitis. — If a joint has been injured, as 

 we have suggested, by slight blows or other causes — in 

 other words, if the injury is subcutaneous, and no wound is 

 in existence — then there is no treatment which offers better 

 results than does the continued application of cold. 



At the same time, the animal should be slung, or if non- 

 excitable and inclined to rest, allowed at intervals to lie on 

 a thick and comfortable straw bed, the cold fomentations 

 during such intervals being discontinued. When the case 

 is a marked one and the animal valuable, benefit will be 

 derived from the application of crushed ice. 



The animal's condition must be watched, and the case 

 helped as far as is possible by the administration of a mild 

 dose of physic, by saline drinks, and, when necessary, by 

 the giving of small but repeated doses of Fleming's tincture 

 of Aconite in order to relieve the pain. In a chronic case 

 the repeated application of a blister is indicated. 



