56 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



fused over a large area. Sometimes the two pleuras are held 

 in firm juxtaposition; at other times the union is a loose con- 

 nection with fibrous bands. The seriousness of this sequel 

 depends upon the extent, the location, and the firmness of 

 the adhesions. Located in the mediastinum they are some- 

 what more serious than on the costal walls. Animals so af- 

 fected are "short-winded," pant on exertion, grunt when 

 turned sharply, are very often hopeless roarers, and gen- 

 erally maintain a certain degree of ill health for months and 

 even years. 



Treatment. — Pleural adhesions are exceptionally refrac- 

 tory conditions. Once formed they will persist for all time, 

 and the symptoms by which they are manifested can scarcely 

 be palliated. A long run at pasture, healthful exercise or an 

 easy occupation with first-class food and general care may- 

 tend to promote a state of fair health with which these 

 formidable abnormalities may remain compatible. 



Thecocentesis. 



• DEFINITION. — Thecocentesis is the aspiration of syn- 

 ovia from distended sheaths and bursas, for the purpose of 

 diminishing their size. 



INDICATIONS. — Lesions requiring this operation ex- 

 ist only in the horse. They are wind-puffs of the fetlocks, 

 thoroughpin of the hock, thoroughpin of the knee, distention 

 of the theca of the extensor pedis tendon in front of the fet- 

 lock, and distentions of other bursse and sheaths provided 

 with more or less extensive sacs which sometimes become 

 distended and produce annoying blemishes. Wherever they 

 are met they constitute appropriate indications for the opera- 

 tion under consideration. Although far from a prompt, radi- 

 cal cure, it has a certain definite value if patiently repeated, 

 and if the after-treatment is carefully managed. 



"Wind-puffs or wind-galls" are the two vulgar appella- 

 tions for distentions with synovia of the superior cul-de-sac 

 of the sesamoidean sheath. It is a stretching out of the sac 

 from strain, or constant concussion, accompanied with an 

 over secretion of enough synovia to fill up the dilatation. 

 The enlargement evolves through the combined influence 

 of the internal pressure of the secretion and the continual in- 

 sult inflicted to the sac. Laterally, the sac is not supported 

 by any adequate structures : only the thin skin covers it, to 

 the decided benefit of the process. These enlargements are 

 found more or less developed on nearly all horses submitted 



