448 
kp:marks on unsoundness. 
At this place is situated a bursa mucosa, and, from some severe 
tension of the tendon produced by the sudden knuckling forwards 
of the pastern, the ligamentous and tendinous expansion forming 
the connecting medium to the parts becomes ruptured—a degree 
of inflammation is set up, and the secretions of the synovial bursa 
are morbidly increased; consequently a large swelling, or large 
tumour partly solidified, is the result, and which sometimes in¬ 
creases to a great size. 
In two or three cases of this kind which came under my treat¬ 
ment, I punctured with a lancet, and evacuated the contents of the 
bursa. This must be done after the inflammation has subsided, 
aud before the tumour becomes partly solidified. At the same 
time a blister should be applied. This practice I have adopted in 
joints opened by accident, and find it generally to succeed. 
I do not agree with Professor Stewart when he says, that it is 
the tendon which is sprained or injured. It is not the tendon, 
but its investment which is ruptured, and bursal distention su¬ 
pervenes. It is most frequent in cart-horses, and, like all other 
bursal diseases, does not always produce lameness. 
There is another disease common to field horses and roadsters, 
which I never saw mentioned in veterinary works, viz. ossification 
ofi the inner lateral ligaments of the fetlock, which may be the 
result of a blow in timber leaps; but I think it more likely to be 
the effect of hard work. I think, also, that concussion may have 
something to do here, as the ossification is always situated on the 
inner anterior and lateral parts of the fetlock, and the short arti¬ 
cular ligaments are generally the seat of it. 
The best treatment for ossification of the ligaments of the fet¬ 
lock consists in the application of the actual cautery—the instru¬ 
ment being formed like the French budding-iron, but not so large, 
as the strong heat contained in the budding-iron used in France, 
from its great substance, is injurious to the surrounding parts. 
The iron should be tapered to a point, and the thickest part should 
not exceed an inch in circumference. The punctures should be 
through the skin, and embrace the whole ossific deposit. A 
portion of blister ointment must be applied at the same time. 
When it is necessary to cauterize the skin of any poor animal, I 
think the budding-iron is the best, the most effectual, and humane. 
P.S. The extract of belladonna is an excellent medicine for 
dilating the os uteri. 
