334 SEROUS CYSTS. 



generally self-inflicted in the stable. I believe that the presence 

 of mice or rats in a box or stall is a frequent cause of horses kick- 

 ing at night, and thereby injuring their hocks. I have frequently 

 stopped horses kicking at night, by keeping a cat or two along 

 with the animal by night. Although the presence of this injury 

 detracts from an animal's value, especially, as it may indicate 

 vice; it rarely affects the horse's usefulness, except when the part 

 is in an inflamed condition. 



TREATMENT. — ^When the injury is recent, gentle massage 

 (p. 664) and warm fomentations should be applied. If an attempt 

 is to be made to reduce the tmnour — which should not be done 

 until all heat and inflammation have subsided — a seton, which 

 should not be allowed to remain longer in than ten days or a 

 fortnight, may be passed through its centre ; or the part may be 

 stimulated, from time to time, with biniodide of mercury (1 to 

 16 of lard). As the enlargement is not connected with any im- 

 portant structure, it may, after it has become hard and free from 

 all heat, be removed by the knife under antiseptic precautions 

 (p. 70). A favourite apiolication among stable men for the re- 

 duction of a capped hock, is a paste made with fuller's earth 

 or size mixed with vinegar, and kept plastered over the part while 

 the horse is in the stable. It is brushed off before he is taken 

 out to work. 



Capped Elbow. 



NATURE AND CAUSES. — Capped elbow is a serous cyst situated 

 behind the elbow joint (Fig. 138), and is almost always caused 

 by the jmrt having been hurt by the heels of the shoe pressing 

 upon it, or striking it. This injury is usually inflicted by pressure 

 when the horse is lying down, in which case, hardness of the floor, 

 deficiency of bedding, and securing the animal in his stall with 

 too short a tying-up rope (or chain) will be predisposing causes. 

 When a soft substance (bedding) is interposed between two op- 

 posing surfaces (the floor and the hoof), the severity of the 

 resulting pressure or shock (on the elbow) will be decreased by 

 its more extended and more gradual distribution. Tying up the 

 horse short acts by inducing him to lie on his breastr-bone, with 

 the heels of his fore feet close to his elbows, instead of lying 

 on his side, which is his natural recumbent position. Among 

 Russian match trotters it is often due to the heel striking the 

 point of the elbow during fast movement. Miners sometimes 

 suffer from a similar enlargement ("miner's elbow"). 



As a rule, it causes lameness, only when it is in an acutely painful 

 state, and when its size interferes with movement. 



