416 DISEASES OF THE HORSE’S FOOT 
in hygroma of the stifle, and sometimes in the fetlock. 
From a study of these, we know that they may be induced 
by frequent attacks of acute synovitis, from repeated slight 
injuries or bruises, or from strains to the ligaments of the 
joint; or that they may be chronic from the outset. We 
know, too, that in such cases the synovial membrane 
becomes thickened, and that in places it may have extended 
somewhat over the edges of the articular cartilages. It is 
only fair to suppose that such changes occur also in the 
pedal articulation. In that case we may take it for certain 
that the natural rigidity of the surrounding structures 
has the effect of pushing the thickened membrane further 
between the bones of the joint than occurs in a like condi- 
tion elsewhere, leading, of course, to a lameness that is 
marked in degree but occult as to cause. 
In our minds there is no doubt that many of the occult 
and chronic forms of foot-lameness we meet with in practice 
are in this way to be accounted for. We may, in fact, 
explain them by suggesting either a chronic synovitis alone, 
or a synovitis complicated with periostitis. 
Treatment of Synovitis.—lf a joint has been injured, as 
we have suggested, by slight blows or other causes —in 
other words, if the injury is subcutaneous, and no wound is 
in existence—then there is no treatment which offers better 
results than does the continued application of cold. 
At the same time, the animal should be slung, or, if non- 
excitable and inclined to rest, allowed at intervals to lie on 
a thick and comfortable straw bed, the cold fomentations 
during such intervals being discontinued. When the case 
is a marked one and the animal valuable, benefit will be 
derived from the application of crushed ice. 
The animal’s condition must be watched, and the case 
helped as far as is possible by the administration of a mild 
dose of physic, by saline drinks, and, when necessary, by 
the giving of small but repeated doses of Fleming’s tincture 
of Aconite in order to relieve the pain. In a chronic case 
the repeated application of a blister is indicated. 
