THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XVIII, No. 213. SEPTEMBER 1845. New Series, No. 45. 
LAMENESS. 
By William Percivall, M.R.C.S. 
[Continued from page 426.] 
Class I. 
LAMENESSES ARISING FROM DISEASES OF JOINTS AND 
bursa: mucosa:. 
General Observations on the Diseases of Joints. 
IN a pathological sense, we might define lameness to be disease 
or derangement of some part or other of the apparatus of loco- 
motion. The organs of locomotion are the bones and muscles : 
the one constituting that framework of figure and support to which 
the other are attached for the purposes of motion. Very many 
bones, of different shapes and sizes, enter into the composition of 
this framework ; but, divided and subdivided as it is, such is the 
harmony of arrangement and complete adaptation and secure fasten- 
ing of one bone to another, through the media of joints, that, with 
all the strength of an entire structure, the framework possesses 
every necessary capability and variety of motion. 
A joint may be said to be an union, by means of ligaments, of 
two — in some instances of three — bones, whose opponent ends or 
surfaces are shaped so as to fit into each other, are covered by 
cartilage, and inclosed within a capsular ligament forming a shut 
cavity, which is lined throughout by a sort of internal capsule ; to 
which, from its secreting the synovia or joint-oil, the name of 
synovial membrane is given. Of this, which constitutes the most 
perfect description of joint, the best examples are to be found in 
the limbs, the main bones whereof are articulated together in a 
manner that fits them for every required variety of movement r 
VOL. XVIII. 3 U 
