DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE LEGS. 213 



to escape. The puncture should be made at the lowest margin of the 

 swelling, and upon its inner side, by a transverse incision, in order 

 to blemish as little as possible. After the i^uncture is made and the 

 fluid pressed out, the walls of the sac must be kept in apposition by 

 means of a flannel bandage, rolled round the knee from above down- 

 wards, until they become united by the adhesive inflammation. The 

 bandnge should not be disturbed for five or six days if no inconvenience 

 is caused to the patient; but if any signs of pain are manifested, it should 

 be removed and readjusted. The puncture in the skin must be kept 

 open (and the best plan to do this is to insert a small piece of lint or tow 

 into its orifice, allowing it to remain in for a few hours), in order to allow 

 the escape of any fluid which might collect in the sac. The bandage is 

 placed so as not to cover the wound. There is no danger to be appre- 

 hended from opening this bursa, sufficient inflammation is excited with- 

 out injecting iodine or any other irritant. 



STIFLE JOINT LAMENESS. 



Symptoms. — When the true stifle-joint is affected, the leg through- 

 out is held, when at rest, in a flexed condition, the toe resting on the 

 ground; but as soon as the sufferer moves the limb it is quickly extended 

 and rigid; at each step the heels first touch the ground, the body being 

 elevated greatly, as the weight is carried over the limb. "When the minor 

 joint is diseased, the limb, as in the preceding case, is held, during rest, 

 in a state of semiflexion; in movement, the toe drags on the ground, or 

 is carried round in a swinging form; and in the worst cases — probably 

 from extension of the disease — the action assumes the form last described. 

 Swelling, acute irritative fever, and intense pain, sometimes mark these 

 cases, from which the animal dies, or has to be destroyed. In old horses 

 it is not uncommon to find eburnation of this Joint, the existence of 

 which may have been suspected by the enlarged condition of the synovia 

 capsule during life. For the anatomy of the stifle Joint see Figs. Ill 

 and 112. 



Treatment. — Cold applications until the inflammation subsides and 

 then stimulating embrocations: that recommended below for sprain of 

 the fetlock joint. Or, if preferred: 



