484 
LAMENESS. 
Of suppuration, we have the best examples afforded by open 
joints. Along with the flux of synovia we often have purulent 
matter discharging, and in some cases the purulent will gain the 
ascendancy over the synovial secretion. And when, from negli- 
gent or improper treatment, or from the severity of the injury, in- 
flammation runs intensely high, we shall not only have pus, but 
lymph as well, poured out into the cavity of the joint; ending in 
thickening of the membrane, or else in ulceration and ultimate 
destruction of it. Ulceration, however, is much more commonly 
seen in the reflected portion of the membrane — that part which is 
delicately thin and, comparatively, little endowed with vitality, 
and consequently the more prone to take on the ulcerative pro- 
cess. We shall probably find, in addition to this one of consti- 
tution, a cause for this propensity to ulceration connected with the 
situation it occupies in the joint; it being, while the capsular part 
of the membrane is loose and free from pressure, subject to con- 
stant compression and occasional contusion. 
The joints and sinews of horses become the especial seats of 
lameness. If a horse fails in his work, or gets sprained by acci- 
dent, we look to his joints or to his sinews as the parts that have 
suffered, knowing that they sustain the brunt of the wear and tear. 
Thence it is that we think it of so much consequence to possess a 
horse with large well-formed joints, and wiry well-knit sinews. 
The custom of racing horses at such tender ages as two and three 
years old, and of backing half-breds before they have come to 
their strength, has proved fruitful sources of failure in these struc- 
tures. For a horse to acquire maximum strength of joint and 
sinew, it is indispensable that the animal, up to a certain period of 
growth, should not be over-weighted or strained beyond his powers : 
Nature will make him fit for what he is intended, if not blighted 
in her operations by the chilling and destructive hand of Art. It is 
lamentable to behold the number of horses there are in this our 
sporting country ruined from premature work. 
Although joint lamenesses are, when they arise from sprains or 
blows, in general perceptible enough, yet are they often obscure 
in their nature, and difficult of detection, in cases in which their 
origin is spontaneous, i. e. not traceable to sprain or blow or other 
external injury. The horse is brought to us lame, very lame, 
perhaps, and the account of his lameness is accompanied with the 
emphatic reminder, that there is “ nothing to be seen,” “ nothing 
to be felt,” in the lame limb : in fact, the case is such as has put 
to confusion all the veterinary knowledge possessed by both the 
groom and his master. Science, however, has taught the veteri- 
narian that, from the very nature of joint lameness, in many — in 
most — cases, such signs as would attract outward notice are not 
