347 



iu the form of a thick mass resting on the back part of the cannon 

 bone. As a consequence the deformity remains and a new condition 

 presents itself in the articular disposition, constituting the deformity 

 known as the knuclding fetloclc. 



By this is meant a deformity of the fetloclc joint by which the nat- 

 ural angle is changed from that which pertains to tlie healthy articu- 

 lation. The first pastern or suffraginis loses its oblique direction 

 and assumes another which varies from the upright to the oblique, 

 from befoi-e backwards, and from above downwards; in other words, 

 forming an angle with its point in front. 



This condition, as we have seen, may be the result of chronic dis- 

 ease pi-oducing structural changes in the tendons, and it may also 

 occur as the result of other affections or some i^eculiarity independent 

 of this and situated below the fetlock, such as ringbones, sidebones^ 

 or traumatic disease of the foot proper. Animals are sometimes pre- 

 disposed to knuckling, such, for example, as are naturally straight 

 in their pasterns or animals which are compelled to labor when too 

 young. The hind legs are more predisposed than the fore to this 

 deformity, in consequence of the greater amount of labor they are 

 required to perform as the propelling levers of the body. 



The symptoms of knuckling are easilj" recognized. The changes in 

 the direction of the bones vary more or less with the degree of the 

 lesion, sometimes assuming such a direction that it almost becomes a 

 true dislocation of the pastern. 



The effect of knuckling upon the gait also varies aecoixling to the 

 degree of the deformity. As the different degrees of the shortening 

 of the leg aifect the motion of the fetlock the lameness may be very 

 slight or quite extreme. Another consequence of this shortening is 

 such a change in the position of the foot that the heels cease to come 

 in contact with the ground and assume a greater elevation, and the 

 final result of this is soon witnessed in the development of a clubfoot. 



To whatever cause the knuckling may be ascribed it is always a 

 severe infirmity, and there is but little room for hoping to overcome 

 it unless it be during the very first stages of the trouble, and the hope 

 dwindles to still smaller dimensions when it is secondary' to other 

 diseases below the fetlock. If it is caused by overworking the animal, 

 the first indication will of course be rest. The animal must be turned 

 loose and left unemi)loyed and careful attention given to the condi- 

 tion of his feet and to the manner of shoeing, while time is allowed for 

 the tendons to become restored to their normal state and the irritation 

 caused by excessive stretching has subsided. A shoe with a thick 

 heel will contribute to this. But if no improvement can be obtained 

 and the tendons though retracted have yet been relieved of much of 

 their thickening, the case is not a desperate one and may yet be 

 benefited by tlie operation of tenotomy, single or double — an oi)erative 

 expedient which must be committed to the experienced surgeon for 

 its performance. 



