266 KENNEL DISEASES. 
A claw so affected is not likely to grow again. While its treatment is easy 
in skilled hands, provided the trouble is recent, after it has existed for a long 
time the only alternative may be to amputate the toe. 
Over certain joints and immediately under the skin are located mucous cap- 
sules, called burs, which now and then become inflamed and cause lameness. 
The hock and elbow seem to be most often affected by that trouble; which 
if neglected is sure to result in lameness. It is generally caused by a blow or 
other direct injury. At first inflamed, the capsules may be filled with either 
blood, a sero-fibrinous fluid, or pus; and the changes occur quite rapidly. They 
may also be distended with a mucus-like fluid, and the walls become much thick- 
ened; in which event the changes are gradual, and the process a chronic one 
from the first. Then inflammatory symptoms may be entirely absent during the 
course, or too mild and unimportant to be appreciable. 
In the acute cases there is usually some, but not great swelling, and tender- 
ness appears on examination. In such, friction with a stimulating liniment may 
be applied ; or around the joint may be painted the tincture of iodine. If 
there is much swelling and the capsules are greatly distended, their contents 
should be drawn off, or evacuated through a free incision. The latter is the 
operation indicated when the fluid within is pus; and the cut should be kept 
open for a time by a drainage-tube. That the walls of the cavity left may unite, 
it will likely be advisable to either inject the tincture of iodine, for the purpose 
of creating a healthy inflammatory process, or use a strong solution of the ni- 
trate of silver—1to1o. Thereafter the wound should be dressed twice daily, 
the covering kept wet with the carbolic acid solution, and bandages be applied 
to keep the cavity’s walls firmly together. 
The synovial membrane is a thin, delicate membrane attached to the ex- 
tremities of bones which form joints. It lines the latter and secretes a fluid 
the purpose of which is, as it were, to keep the joints well oiled. Inflammation 
of this now and then occurs and causes lameness. As a rule it is the result of a 
direct injury, as a blow or sprain, falling from a height, etc. The symptoms 
are swelling, heat, and tenderness. The quantity of the natural secretion is 
increased and consequently the swelling may be great; and that secretion may 
remain unchanged or become thickened, or even purulent. 
If the nature of the injury is recognized early and proper treatment promptly 
applied, recovery is speedy; but neglected cases as a rule prove very tedious. 
The essential treatment is rest and the application of counter-irritation. To 
paint around the joint with the tincture of iodine is the wisest step to take at 
first ; and after the soreness within has materially lessened, friction with stimu- 
lating liniments is commonly advisable. 
An acute attack of synovites may terminate in the chronic form. The secre- 
tion within the cavity of a joint may, as stated, become purulent ; but that grave 
accident is not likely to happen unless the joint has been punctured, there is 
