DISEASES OF THE JOINTS 421 



With the discharge of the abscess contents there is some 

 slight improvement in the symptoms. Here, with a suitable 

 treatment, and with a patient of a particularly robust con- 

 stitution, the case appears to turn, and slowly but surely 

 progresses towards the only end we can hope for — namely, 

 a more or less painless anchylosis of the articulation. 



In less favourable cases the purulent discharge continues, 

 and ( always a bad sign ) becomes more or less chocolate- 

 like in colour, distinctly thin, and stinking. The diseased 

 process spreads until the ligaments of the joint, both by 

 reason of their infiltration with the inflammatory discharges, 

 and also on account of the ravages made on them by the 

 invading pus, either greatly stretch or altogether rupture. 



The joint, after its ligaments have been destroyed in this 

 manner, is loosened, and the bones are now freely movable. 

 Their manipulation gives to the touch a sickening, grating 

 sound — in other words, we have crepitus. This, of course, 

 indicates that the articular cartilages have become greatly 

 eroded by the inflammatory process, and so left what we 

 may term ' raw ' surfaces of bone to rub together. When 

 the animal is put to the walk the toe of the foot is elevated, 

 and the extreme mobility of the foot gives one the idea of 

 fracture. With every step there is a peculiar sucking 

 noise, comparable to that of a foot moving in a boot of 

 water, and putrescent matter is squeezed from every open- 

 ing each time the foot is put to the ground. Although we 

 have seen cases even advanced thus far recover, it is ques- 

 tionable whether it is now wise to attempt to prolong life. 

 Slaughter is far more humane, and, in our opinion, except 

 with a valuable brood animal, more economical. 



If the animal is allowed to linger, other symptoms will 

 nearly always present themselves before death occurs. 

 Whether in slings or not, a careful watch should be kept 

 upon the sound limb. For some time the patient stands 

 upon it incessantly, but sooner or later it happens that a 

 further visit show us the animal standing with full weight 

 on the diseased foot, and making painful pawing movements 

 with what before was the sound. We immediately jump to 



