696 
CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE STIFLE-JOINT. 
Treatment. Recent wounds near the joint, or involving the above- 
named tendon sheaths, require antiseptic treatment; and, as in large 
animals a proper dressing cannot he used, the wound must be disin¬ 
fected, and in the case of small injuries a blister of sublimate dissolved 
in 10 parts of spirit, or the actual cautery should be applied, in order to 
produce swelling, and close the wound in the joint as rapidly as. 
possible. Large wounds may be carefully disinfected and sutured, or 
be kept aseptic by continuous irrigation. 
YI.—CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE STIFLE- 
JOINT (GONITIS CHRONICA SICCA). 
Chronic inflammation of the stifle-joint principally occurs in heavy 
draught-horses and those which work continuously at a sharp trot. 
Omnibus, tramway, and cab horses often suffer from it. It is also seen 
in dogs, particularly in the larger coursing and working breeds. In 
dogs it is generally unilateral ; in horses it often affects -both sides. 
Hohne regards it as a common cause of lameness in horses, and thinks 
it is often mistaken for developing spavin, but the symptoms differ 
consideiably, and should not be confused if care be taken. Post¬ 
mortem examination shows changes similar to those of arthritis 
chronica sicca vel deformans: thickening of the margins of the 
articular cartilage with ostitis, particularly on the tibia. Abrasion of 
the articular surface is most pronounced around the tibial spine, por¬ 
cellaneous deposits occur, and there is sometimes moderate dropsy of 
the joint. As a rule, the process is confined to the inner division of 
the femoro-tibial joint, the outer division and the patellar joint remaining 
intact. In addition to thickening of the ligaments of the stifle-joint and 
cauliflower growths on the articular surface of the femur, Hohne found 
eburnated elevations and depressions in the spongy tissue of the ends of the 
hone, and enlargement of the inner condyle to the extent of three-eighths 
of an inch. Sometimes he could only detect condensation of the 
spongy tissue of the inner condyle. It is, therefore, not absolutely 
ceitain that Hohne was always dealing with the disease nowin question. 
Symptoms and course. The disease sets in slowly and gradually, 
but generally proves so stubborn that the animal has to be destroyed. 
Sometimes it persists for months, or even years. At first the lameness 
is slight, and where the condition is bilateral may for a long time be 
overlooked. In the stable the diseased limb is kept flexed (fig. 257) ; 
when both are affected, they are rested alternately. In turning, the 
affected limb is often lifted spasmodically, as in spavin and stringhalt. 
When commencing to walk, the animal shows swinging leg lameness 
and avoids extending the limb, so that the forward stride is shortened, 
