226 THEORY AND PRACTiC^ 



In capped hock it has been proven that an incission can be made 

 with safety and it is the only satisfactory treatment. If the 

 tumor is not tapped, eventually a fibrous growth will form, which 

 may prove difficult to remove. 



Operation. — First find where the point of injury is and lo- 

 cate the size and position of the cyst by palpation. Open it with 

 a sharp pointed bistoury, never a scalpel, as near the bottom as 

 possible. Manipulate the tumor so as to make it bulge at the 

 point to be incised and insert the knife slowly at the bottom, 

 pointing it inward, upward and outward, till the point of the 

 knife is about an inch from the insertion and then cut through. 

 Sometimes you will not cut deep enough and the serum will not 

 flow, then cut again a little deeper in a similar manner. Do not 

 be afraid if the blood flows freely, for the hemorrhage can be 

 stopped. Syringe out the cyst with an iodine solution. This 

 will prevent reforming. Tincture ot iodine, full strength, can 

 be used. Never syringe after the first time. Dip a wad of 

 oakum in some antiseptic solution and insert in the sack. Bathe 

 the wound with hot water an hour at a time and insert a fresh 

 piece of oakum after each bathing. Keep up this treatment for 

 10 to 20 days, by which time the place will usually become 

 healed. A hard fibrous swelling will usually form in the place 

 of the cyst and the parts should be bathed with witch hazel, 

 added to the same amount of water. Wrap the parts in flannel 

 and give a little walking exercise. Animal will be all right in 

 about six weeks. 



If an old case is brought to you, open and make a new wound 

 of it, poultice and after about a month put on a mild blister. If 

 the wound tends to heal with the formation of much fibrous tis- 

 sue, hand rubbing will help it very much. 



Serous cysts on the knees of cattle can be opened and treated 

 all right if they are young in growth, but if old chronic cases, 

 the doctor would better let them alone. Where they form in 

 other parts of the body, from kicks and injuries, etc., they can 

 be opened at the bottom and some antiseptic be injected. Use 

 hot applications an hour at a time and regulate the diet. In 

 capped elbow, where the tumor is small and bagging, it can be 

 removed by ligating. Tie a cord around it tightly and after two 



