190 TRANSACTIONS AT THE ROYAL VETERINARY SCHOOL 
In two other cases, a ligature of the carotid was successfully 
practised. 
Lamenesses of the scapulo-humeral and coxo-femoral articu- 
lations . — We have in numerous cases employed certain chemical 
caustics for the cure of lameness in these joints : indeed, when- 
ever our diagnosis has been well established, the result has been 
satisfactory even in cases of the longest standing. Fifty-three horses 
have in our infirmary been submitted to this mode of treatment — 
thirty-five for lameness in the shoulder, and eighteen for a si- 
milar complaint in the articulation of the os femoris with the 
pelvis. All have been cured with the exception of three ; two of 
which had been lame a long time, and in the third the case was 
far from being plain. 
Either the bichloride of mercury or arsenious acid may be em- 
ployed, but not with equal advantage. We give the decided 
preference to the former. It is with some degree of fear, perhaps, 
that we first determine to have recourse to so violent a caustic as 
corrosive sublimate, but we soon become assured of its beneficial 
effect. A small piece, of the weight of two grains, is introduced 
under the skin, at the point of the articulation, and suffered to re- 
main there eight and forty hours ; and during which, neither the 
swelling that may take place, nor the absorption of the salt, nor 
the extent of the wound, should cause any alarm. The tumour 
that arises may occasionally be large, but it will not require any 
application — not even emollients. It may cause pain and stiffness 
in walking, but it produces no general or constitutional symptoms. 
In no case have we observed any symptom of empoisonment. 
Its manner of action seems to render this impossible ; for by in- 
fluence of one kind it may produce mortification of the cellular 
tissue, and thus render it impossible for the absorbent vessels to 
lay hold of it, while by another chemical action it becomes trans- 
formed into a protochloruret, insoluble and harmless. The pro- 
cess of cicatrization is rapidly completed, but there may remain 
a small spot denuded of hair. 
One inconvenience occasionally happens, — the purulent matter 
insinuates itself under the integument, and there is a temporary 
separation of the skin from the parts beneath. The insertion of 
a tent or seton into the most dependent parts, will, however, 
speedily remedy this inconvenience. 
Some empirics employ the sulphate of copper in these diseases 
of the joints, but with far less effect than the mercury. The arse- 
nious acid is still more objectionable. It uniformly produces 
considerably more swelling than the mercury, and often a far 
greater loss of integument : it has also occasionally produced 
poisonous effects. 
