TMecOCentesiS 63 



tion should be continued until all of the fluid has been ab- 

 stracted. 



The abstraction may also be effected by means of a spe- 

 cial aspirating apparatus (Fig. 29) which withdraws the fluid 

 by suction, but this method possesses no advantage over the 

 more simple method of siphonage with a needle or canula. 



AFTER CARE.— The treatment should be followed by 

 the application of a cantharides blister over the entire sheath. 

 In the case of thoroughpin the blistering is carried upward 

 as far as the enlargement extends, and downward as far as 

 the insertion of the check ligament in the metatarsal region. 

 For wind-puffs the entire fetlock is blistered. The aspira- 

 tion is repeated every two weeks or even oftener and the 

 blistering as often as the skin recovers its normal state. 



The subject is rested, turned in the paddock or pasture 

 or else submitted only to easy work that will not seriously 

 tax the affected parts. 



SEQUEL. — Thecal Abscess. — The development of a 

 severe infective inflammation of the whole sheath, which 

 terminates in the formation of an exceptionally painful sero- 

 purulent abscess, is always a possible result of such opera- 

 tions. The danger is, however, not great if ordinary cleanli- 

 ness is observed throughout, and if no irritants are injected 

 into the sac. The injection of irritants into synovial sacs 

 following aspiration is an exceptionally dangerous procedure, 

 in spite of cleanliness. The inflammatory exudates which fill 

 up the sac after such injections often become infected in some 

 unexplainable manner, and provoke a chain of serious local 

 and general symptoms which sometimes prove fatal. 



The appearance of a thecal abscess of the flexor sheaths 

 following thecocentesis is announced by swelling of the whole 

 region, inability to support weight on the affected leg, ex- 

 treme local tenderness around the seat of operation, fever, 

 anorexia, injected membranes, accelerated respirations and 

 finally the pointing of abscesses at different parts of the in- 

 fected sheath, which discharge a sero-purulent liquid in abun- 

 dance without relieving the local symptoms. These abscesses 

 are indeed serious ; the process is of long duration ; the pa- 

 tient emaciates; the muscles of the affected side atrophy; 

 and the region is left in a state of permanent tumefaction. 



Treatment.— The patient affected with thecal abscess 

 must be placed in a large, roomy stall and nursed well. The 

 region is bathed with hot water or wrapped in hot wet cloths 

 until the abscesses begin to form, after which time attention 

 must be directed to the suppurating process. The abscesses 



