DISEASES OF THE TENDONS AND TENDON SHEATHS. 763 
pa^ts Vveie again bathed, and hot poultices applied, but, as they gave no 
relief, blisteiing was resorted to. There was, however, little improvement, 
the swelling persisting. The sheath of the tendon w 7 as then opened under 
antiseptic precautions, allowing of the escape of purulent fluid, which could 
only be distinguished from ordinary pus microscopically, hut which was then 
found to contain no micro-organisms. The examination was made by various 
persons, and every precaution was taken to avoid error. 
This seemed to show that purulent tendovaginitis had existed, doubtless as 
a result of the wound, and yet the 
pus contained no micro - parasites. 
Whether parasites had never been 
present, i.e., suppuration had been 
brought about without infection, or 
whether the pus cocci had perished, 
is uncertain. One peculiarity of 
this case is, however, very remark¬ 
able, viz., that in spite of the great 
distension of the tendon sheath the 
connective tissue around it never 
became the seat of cellulitis. In 
purulent tendovaginitis the tissues 
round the tendon sheath are almost 
always attacked with active cellulitis, 
and in consequence are more or less 
markedly swollen. Dollar, called in 
consultation by the late Mr. Stevens, 
M.R.C.V.S., saw a similar case in an 
aged grey hunter. The horse had 
been stabbed in the heel with a stable- 
fork ; the wound closed, but lame¬ 
ness persisted. About the fourth day, 
swelling of the tendon sheath set in, 
lameness became acute, and a little 
offensive blood-stained pus escaped 
from the wound. The animal could 
not stand on the limb, and showed fre¬ 
quent lancinating pain. Dollar opened 
the sheath for a distance of about one 
inch, and prescribed continued hot 
antiseptic baths (5 per cent, creolin). 
rubber bath extending from the foot to the middle of the cannon bone, and 
the fluid w 7 as changed every fwo hours. Relief was prompt. In four days 
the baths were discontinued, as the skin was becoming macerated.. A week 
later the wound had closed. Lameness gradually decreased ; after blistering 
and three months’ rest, the animal again carried his owner for an entire 
hunting season. 
III.—INJURIES PRODUCED BY STRIKING (INTER¬ 
FERING) AND THEIR COMPLICATIONS. 
Striking or interfering is the term used to describe the injury inflicted 
by the horse’s foot on the opposite leg during work. It occurs oftenest 
in the hind limbs, especially when the animal is trotted—the inner surface 
Fig. 287.—Rupture of the flexor pedis 
perforailsteudou (froma photograph). 
The limb was immersed in a long 
