STIFLE JOINT DISEASE— GONITIS 109 



As the disease progresses the patellar capsule becomes much distended 

 in some cases, and the indentation below the patella becomes obliterated. 

 It is not uncommon, also, to find the inner femoral condyle much enlarged, 

 a point which is revealed by manipulation and comparison. 



On making a post-mortem examination of the joint in an advanced 

 case the ligaments will be found to be very much thickened, as also the 

 edges of the fibro-cartilaginous meniscii. The concentric portions of the 

 cartilages, on the other hand, .become much thinner, and frequently 

 present numerous small eroded areas. The tibial surfaces are eburnated. 

 The inner cartilage is the one mostly affected, and particularly the small 

 portion of it which is related to the inner aspect of the tibial spine. 

 Irregular elevations are present on the articular surfaces of the femoral 

 condyles, the inner of which, as already stated, may be found to be 

 enlarged to a considerable extent. 



The disease is generally regarded as incurable. 



Paton reported the following peculiar case {Feterinary Record, 

 August II, 1906), in which the common tendon of origin of the 

 extensor pedis and superficial portion of the flexor metatarsi muscles, 

 was interfered with owing to the presence of osseous deposits in the 

 notch between the anterior and external tuberosities of the tibia. The 

 condition was described under the heading of stifle joint lameness. The 

 subject, a " bay draught gelding (one horse vanner), seven-year-old, 

 naturally straight-hocked, was admitted to the hospital on March i, 

 very lame in the near hind leg owing to having slipped up at work a 

 few hours previously. 



'■"Symptoms. — Tremor of the quarter muscles and slight relaxation or 

 the tendo-achilles whilst at rest or standing. On walking the leg was 

 carried straight and whilst elevated dangled, conveying the impression 

 that there was a fracture, the heel of the foot always touching the 

 ground first. On manipulating the limb I failed to detect the seat of 

 lameness, but when the leg was flexed and the foot as it were held 

 in position for shoeing, the tendo-achilles fell into a distinct fold, 



