SOME OBSCURE LESIONS UNMASKED. 
635 
am far from being so vain as either to think or say the same in 
regard to advance or improvement in remedial measures by the 
accumulated knowledge of future generations. 
In my present paper I shall confine myself to merely pointing 
to the existence of a very obscure leg lameness. I use the word 
“ obscure” in reference to the actual seat of mischief, and in contra- 
distinction to frequent chronic disease of the inner or outer ankle, 
involving the same structures, but in which the articular or syno- 
vial surface of the joint retains its normal condition until it is 
eventually invaded by the stealthy progress of excrescence or os- 
sification from without. 
Seventeen years ago, in illustration of the wonders wrought by 
deep firing , I gave a description of this latter sesamoideal malady 
in The Veterinarian of 1830, and The Lancet. Several 
veterinary authors have copied the passage with due acknowledg- 
ment : I have Mr. Delabere Blaine’s Outlines of the Veterinary 
Art now before me, fourth edition, vide his note at page 603 : — 
“ Mr. Turner, in his paper on deep firing, which appeared in 
The Lancet of September 1830, thus admirably describes this 
state, as it is often found in the fetlock joint. I will suppose a 
tumour on the inner or the outer ankle, contiguous to either of the 
sesamoid bones : this 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 cut- 
ting place, but distinguishable from the effects of striking in an 
instant by the experienced eye. It is a diffused swelling, con- 
sisting 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 thickening of the inner or outer branch of the suspen- 
sory 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 ordinary 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 liga- 
ment. Sometimes both sides of the joint are similarly affected.” 
I now invite the attention of the veterinary profession at large, 
but more especially the deep consideration of veterinary students, 
to sesamoid disease, as commencing from within, being an injury 
of a wearing place of the leg, as navicularthritis is of the foot : 
not of such frequent occurrence, but typical of it, as commencing 
with articular inflammation of the synovial membrane, and in 
