636 
THE EFFICACY OF DEEP CAUTERY LESIONS. 
“ A tumour on the inner or the outer ancle, contiguous to either 
of the sesamoid bones, is a very frequent cause of lameness, the 
pulley-like joint formed by the sesamoid bones being more or less 
involved : this enlargement or bulge is to be met with rather more 
frequently on the inside of the fetlock-joint very near to the cutting 
place , but distinguishable from the effects of striking, in an instant, 
by the experienced eye : it is a diffused swelling, consisting of a 
condensation of cellular tissue and lymph effused under the skin, 
while the integuments preserve their original or natural thinness ; 
but there is usually an accompaniment which completely stamps 
the character of the enlargement, viz., a slight projection or thicken- 
ing of the inner or outer branch of the suspensory ligament, as may 
happen to be the affected side, just below the bifurcation ; the 
other parts of the leg may be sound and clean, and the patient 
tolerably free from lameness whilst at rest, but when put to ordi- 
nary work lameness ensues immediately. I need scarcely add, 
that this consolidation of parts originates, in nine cases out of ten, 
in a sprain of the elastic suspensory ligament. Sometimes both 
sides of the joint are similarly affected. 
“ Enlargement of the Fetlock- Joint on the Inside of the 
Fore Leg. 
“ Lesion the IsA — A longitudinal incision with the red-hot iron, 
down the centre of the tumour, as if intending to make a section 
of it : this single line comprises about half the cure, and therefore 
it must be boldly done. Merely penetrating the skin from top to 
bottom will not suffice, unless by its retraction a considerable fur- 
row is immediately produced of a certain size, generally about the 
width of a large straw : to effect this, it may be necessary also to 
penetrate a part of the cellular tissue. 
“ Lesion the 2 d. — A longitudinal incision with the same instru- 
ment down the posterior part of the fetlock-joint, in a line with 
the back tendon or flexor, completely through the skin, but with- 
out any additional effort to dilate the furrow; the penetration of 
the skin only at this part will instantly expose the cellular mem- 
brane, forming the immediate covering to the sheath of the 
tendon. 
“ Lesion the 3 d. — -A corresponding incision down the front of 
the joint, with the same caution, to penetrate the skin only. The 
transverse incisions between the three longitudinal will complete 
the operation : these must be performed with a differently-shaped 
instrument, much smaller, but yet a red-hot iron, which should 
also penetrate the skin, and will require great dexterity on the 
part of the operator, as it is expedient that the lesion of the skin 
should be effected with the least possible dilatation of the line. 
On this part of the undertaking depends the proportion of blemish , 
