Chronic Edema of the Hind Extrem- 

 ities-Stocking. 



Persistent stocking in the hind legs from the hock 

 down is a somewhat common condition. Close ob- 

 servation will disclose the fact that geldings are most 

 often affected. 



Stocking affects mares as well in conjunction with 

 various skin diseases, such as scratches for instance. 

 It is chiefly in geldings that stocking occurs as a 

 clinical entity without apparent lesions of any kind 

 on the extremities involved. 



In most of these cases either an excessive amount 

 of scar tissue resulting from castration is present or a 

 scirrhus cord is present or beginning to form. 



If the veterinarian will carefully examine the 

 region about the scrotal fold in geldings of any age 

 whose hind extermities "stock" habitually, he will in- 

 variably discover one of the above mentioned condi- 

 tions. If it is merely a case of a pad of dense scar 

 tissue with surrounding adhesions, iodide of potash 

 will give excellent results. Even in some small scirr- 

 hus cords, prolonged administration of iodide of potas- 

 sium will terminate the trouble. In scirrhus cords of 

 larger dimensions, surgical removal is the only re- 

 course. However, in all cases a good course of potas- 

 sium iodide should be tried first as frequently it gives 

 results when least expected. 



86 



