NAYICULARTHRIT1S. 
9 
The (e pit-a-pat ft gait, in progression, was not only evident 
to the eye, but distinct, beyond a doubt, to the ear, and added 
the final link, as it were, to the already existing chain of evi- 
dences that it was a case of “ groggy lameness. 5 ’ 
Treatment . — The assuasive method was first adopted ; but 
this failing to afford abiding relief, severer measures were re- 
sorted to. Repeated blisters and frog-setons, with entire rest, 
were tried. 
All, however, proved of no avail. The case was evidently 
hopeless, and on June 12th, at my instance, a committee was 
assembled, and the horse recommended to be destroyed. 
On July 12th he was shot. 
On the same morning, the navicular joints of both fore 
feet were laid open for examination. 
Post-mortem appearances . — The secretory function of the 
synovial membrane, lining the bursae, was entirely destroyed, 
and both joints in consequence were completely devoid of 
synovia. 
The ravages of the disease were confined to the surface of 
the navicular bones and perforans tendons, which had been 
in apposition, the one with the other — viz., the inferior sur- 
face of the bones, and superior surface of the tendons. 
Inflammation and ulceration {in various stages and degrees) 
of the synovial membrane and articular cartilages of the bones 
were manifest in both, and likewise a considerable osseous 
deposition, but upon the crest of the navicular bone of the off 
foot (where adhesion was contracted with the flexor tendon) 
a hole, the result of absorption, had penetrated to a consider- 
able depth. 
The articulatory surfaces of the tendons presented a dry, 
very irregular, and almost shrivelled appearance, and were 
discoloured, assuming a light-brown hue. 
Observations . — The refrigerant (clay-bed) system was not 
adopted, because I did not see that any permanent advantage, 
by so doing, would accrue ; nor did I consider this a favora- 
ble case for neurotomy. 
Had the latter been tried, I believe, from the worm-eaten 
appearance and depth of the excavation to which I have 
alluded, that it would have been a signal failure, and have 
only added one more to the list of unhappy selections which 
have brought so much discredit upon this operation. It 
would, I have no doubt, have terminated in fracture of the 
eroded navicular bone. Upon a former occasion, I operated 
upon a horse belonging to the Artillery, with the same disease 
but under different circumstances, and with the best results. 
From being C£ dead-lame ” in one fore foot, and thus 
xxxi. 2 
