339 DADD'S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 
tions of the body. Therefore I consider it inj adicious to lay oper 
a synovial capsule in any part of the body. 
Treatment.—The safest method of treatment is to puncture the 
sac, by means of small needles. After having evacuated the fluid 
through the sieve-like ncedle-holes, the part is to be smeared with 
ointment of iodine—one drachm o/ iodine to seven drachms of 
simple ointment. Then apply a spring truss, so constructed as to 
press on both sides of the hock. By this means the internal parts 
of the sac are kept in contact, and they finally unite. Thus the 
enlargement is obliterated. If, at any time during the treatment 
the parts become hot or tender, discontinue the ointment, and sub- 
stitute a pad on each extremity of the truss, which are to be kept 
constantly wet with cold water until the inflammatory action 4is- 
appears. 
- NAviIcuLAR LAMENESS 
Navicular lameness is of very frequent occurrence among horses. 
It usually depends upon strain or injury of the tendon, known as 
perforans, just where it passes over the navicular bone. Some- 
times the navicular bone becomes diseased, ulcerates, and finally 
becomes fractured ; at other times the bone becomes the seat of 
incrustations, or roughing, and thus irritates the flexor tendon. 
Such affections always cause pain and lameness. Horses with nar- 
row heels, or those laboring under contraction at the quarters and 
heels, suffer much pain in the posterior or navicular region, in con- 
sequence of hoof pressure on the sensitive parts of the foot. 
A disease known as navicular thritis (inflammation of the parte 
in the navicular region) often prevails. This is an inflammatory 
affection, very painful, and much resembles laminitis) fever in the 
foot). 
Symptoms.—Pointing of the affected foot; the animal, while 
standing, throws the affected foot forward, by which means the 
weight of the forepart of the body is transferred to tke other limb; 
the animal has a short, tripping gait, and steps cautiously; the 
muscles of the shoulder waste; the spine of the shoulder-blade be- 
comes quite prominent; and this condition of the muscles is often 
called sweeny. We usually find, also, that the heels are pinched 
in, and the walls are thin and weak. The liability to navicular 
lameness is very great in horses with narrow chesta, upright pas- 
terns, and outturned toes. Other defects in the loins exist. Hen-a 
