98 THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



wound. The operator must exercise great care in suturing the edges 

 together. They must come into close apposition without any corruga- 

 tion, so that when the operation is complete a linear marking only 

 remains. 



Some operators bring the edges together by inserting pin sutures. 



A pad with dry dressing is placed over the area, and the part bandaged, 

 as in treating bumped knee, a splint being used to limit movement. 



The scar should not be too large. Little success is achieved when 

 its diameter is greater than an inch and a half, or when the knee bulges 

 prominently. 



The operation is performed with the patient under a general anaesthetic 

 and every precaution taken to ensure, if possible, healing by first 

 intention. 



This operation went out of favour for a considerable period after its 

 first introduction, but during recent years it has been revived in France, 

 where it is performed with the patient in the standing position fixed in a 

 special trevis. 



CHRONIC OR DRY ARTHRITIS 



This is the name given to chronic inflammation of the carpal joints. 

 It is frequently referred to as Cherry's Disease [Veterinarian, 1845). 



According to Macqueen, the condition is most frequently met with 

 in race-horses, although heavy draught horses are occasionally affected. 



The cause is not well understood. In draught horses it is usually 

 attributed to some peculiar action, such as leads to the animal digging 

 its toes in the ground during progression. It is a significant fact that 

 animals which strike the toes so, usually fail first at the knee. In race- 

 horses the disease is said to be due to their being worked too hard before 

 maturity. 



Defective conformation, such as upright shoulders, abnormally short 

 forearms, &c., is also stated as a contributory cause. 



