67*2 
CONSULTATIONS — OBSCURE LAMENESS. 
side” of it) is very common in spavin; and an injury of the 
pastern bones may also produce similar symptoms. But if the 
disease does exist in the stifle joint, by a careful inspection 
(provided the effects of the liquid blister has gone off) when the 
horse is made to stand firm on both feet , and then placed on a 
level surface, and as exactly as possible in the same position , you 
will find by comparing both legs on the inside of the joint, and 
about six inches back from the anterior of the stifle, a small 
swelling, about an inch and a half in diameter, raised, perhaps, 
about three-eighths of an inch in the centre; in which case the 
articulation between the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (leg 
bone) is the seat of the disease. Or, using the same precautions 
as to position, you will find a greater fulness at the anterior part 
of the stifle in the diseased leg ; in which case the articulation 
between the patella and femur is the seat of disease. But I do 
not expect you will find this to be the case ; because, where 
the injury is in the anterior articulation, there is always more or 
less knuckling at the fetlock joint, which you do not mention, 
but which, if it did exist, would not have escaped your notice. 
When an injury has taken place in either of these articulations, 
there is almost invariably pain evinced while the animal is stand- 
ing in the stable, which is shewn by his frequently drawing up 
his leg, and that is done by twisting the pelvis (quarters) upwards, 
and not by flexing the stifle; which, on the contrary, in severe 
cases, is held peculiarly straight, and which is one of its easiest posi- 
tions : you must not mistake, in examining, slight ticklishness for 
wincing with pain, which is sometimes done. If you do not dis- 
cover some swelling, you had better write me again : if you find 
the disease is in the stifle, repeated blisters, firing, or setons, are 
now the remedies which will be required. Has my old pupil, 
Bryce, at Doune, seen the horse? 
I am. Sir, your most obedient servant, 
(Signed) Wm. Dick. 
A SHORT HISTORICAL RESEARCH ON THE 
EPIZOOTIC 
WHICH HAS LATELY APPEARED AND IS STILL PREVAILING 
IN MANY PARTS OF ENGLAND. 
By Wm. Ernes, Esq., V. S. 
From 1714 to 1823, no less than twenty of these epizootics 
have been observed in France, Germany, and Italy, and which 
occurred in the years 1714, 63, 64, 71, 76, 78, 83, 86, 87, 07, 
98; 1804, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 17, 19, 23. 
