562 
AN OPINION SOUGHT ON A CASE OF UNUSUAL 
LAMENESS. 
By Hippo. 
I HAVE a cart-colt, turned a year old, lame when trotting, and a 
little so when walking, caused by a substance evidently containing 
a fluid, no doubt like synovia, in front of the stifle joint of the 
near side, perhaps communicating with the joint. In short, it is a 
large windgall as big as my fist, or bigger. It has been there 
since the time it was weaned. 
When the colt moves it often cracks, like breaking a bunch of 
matches. It also causes the hock joint to stand perpendicular from 
the foot to the stifle. It is perfectly a chronic business, and will 
remain as long as the colt lives. 
The colt grows and comes on when kept by itself, but when 
running with other colts becomes lamer, and rather loses flesh. 
This business is from a hurt, I think, but I have often seen cart- 
colts the same on both sides with upright hocks, or straight legs, from 
first to last, which I thought arose from over-growth, as they were 
leggy — but this is not leggy. Indeed, some of the finest cart-colts 
I ever saw have been afflicted in this way on both sides. 
I know by experience that rubbing, blistering, firing, and intro- 
ducing setons under the skin of the stifle, are of no use. I have 
often cured something similar on the human knee by merely punc- 
turing with a lancet, and applying a blister over it ; but then there 
was no communication with the joint. 
Could any means be devised, such as opening with a hot iron or 
a knife I — or would you introduce any charge 1 — as I am afraid, if 
he survived, a hard callous substance might form, and then we 
should be no better. 
Would dividing the extensor tendon between the hock and 
fetlock cause the hock to regain its obliquity 1 In short, I hav<? 
no doubt but you are perfectly at home in the case, without my 
saying any thing more. Could any thing be done with a prospect 
of good — kill or cure 1 
Your’s respectfully. 
*** Discharge the fluid by means of a grooved needle, or through 
a valvular flap made by incision, and afterwards apply a 
blister. Ed. Vet. 
