212 



VETEEINAKY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



Powdered cantharides '^i. 



Lard § xij , 



Mix with gentle heat. 



CAPPED KNEE. 



Definition. — Swelling of the bursa of the extensor metacarpi mag- 

 nus muscle. 



Etiology. — Usually produced by blows upon the knees or by the 

 entrance of thorns into the knee. 



Symptoms. — Stiffness and pain in the knee with heat, indicating in- 

 flammation, with a resulting fluctuating swelling. Fig. 110. 



Fig. no. 

 Capped knee, fore leg. 



Treatment. — This swelling may either be punctured at once, or it 

 reduction attempted by the application of blisters. Of course if a thorn 

 can be detected, it must be at once removed. Blisters, when sufficiently 

 strong. 



Powdered cantharides § i. 



Lard ! vi. 



often cause the reduction of these swellings by producing an exudation 

 of lymph into the distended sac, converting the soft, fluctuating swelling 

 into a hardish, indurated mass, which is gradually removed by absorp, 

 tion. But if blisters, with moderately firm pressure after the soreness of 

 the blister has passed away, have no effect in reducing the swelling, the 

 practitioner need not hesitate to puncture and allow the contained fluid 



