232 PKINCIPLES OP VETEEINART SURGEET 



What is purulent tendovaginitis ? 



An inflammation of a synovial tendon slieath "with, a pur- 

 ulent exudate into the sheath. 



What are the causes of purulent tendovaginitis ? 



1. Pus-producing bacteria are carried directly into the 

 sheath from without (nail pricks, pitchfork jabs, etc.). 



2. The result of a contiguous septic inflammation ; for 

 instance, in septic cellulitis of th.e plantar cushion, spreading 

 into the navicular sheath. 



3. Of hematogenous origin, as in pyemia. 



What are the symptoms of a purulent tendovaginitis ? 



Severe lameness, high fever. The swelling rapidly spreads 

 beyond the limits of the tendon sheath, and when of sufficient 

 virulence the lymph vessels also swell ; when due to a per- 

 forating wound, there is discharge of a straw colored, lumpy 

 synovia ; later, abscesses form in the phlegmonous swellings j 

 finally, the symptoms of septicemia or pyemia prevail. 



Outline the treatment of purulent tendovaginitis. 



As soon as there is reason to presume that pus is present 

 in the slieath. or the tendon necrotic, the knife claims its: 

 rights. Incisions, drainage and antiseptic irrigations and 

 removal of the necrotic parts are indicated. 



Galls (Chronic Dropsy of Tendon Sheaths). 



What do you understand by chronic dropsy of tendon- 

 sheaths ? 



A painless, non-inflammatory state of synovial tendon 

 sheaths, thickened by connective tissue proliferation and dis- 

 tention of the same by an accumulation of serous fluid. 



