634 INFLAINIMATION OF THE SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE 
causes, their situation, their progress, and their results. It may 
arise from the fatigue which horses undergo when, in acute dis¬ 
eases of the chest which render it almost impossible for them to lie 
down, they often stand fifteen or even twenty days. This, how¬ 
ever, is not a satisfactory explanation, for there are other diseases 
in which the horse is compelled to stand quite as long, and endure 
quite as much fatigue, but no consequence of this kind is known to 
follow. That it is connected with previous affections of the chest, 
the frequency of its following them renders probable. The truth 
of the matter is, that we know not the cause. There is something 
special, something sui generis (d’exceptionnel), which, not being 
able to explain, we must content ourselves with observing; well 
persuaded that, at some not very distant time, the progress of sci¬ 
ence will clear up this and many other etiological difficulties. 
When this disease attacks only one leg, and is limited to it, and 
occupies but a small space in it, rest, emollient baths, and cata¬ 
plasms, and, when the lameness is passing away, gentle exercise 
on soft ground, with the use of resolvent frictions, will usually 
cause it to disappear in the space of twelve or fifteen days. If the 
disease assumes a more acute form, local bleedings should be prac¬ 
tised, assisted by narcotics and emollients. This will generally 
afford relief. 
When at the expiration of twenty or twenty-five days, in 
spite of the employment of simple and rational means, the lame¬ 
ness continues, the swelling increases, and the pain is diminished, 
there is reason to fear that the disease is passing into a chronic 
state, and that it will become very difficult to cure, if not absolutely 
incurable. We must then have recourse to the most active means. 
The tincture of cantharides, corrosive sublimate, turpentine, and 
blister ointment, are principally used, and the most efficacious. 
Sometimes the application must be repeated several times. If these 
remedies fail there is but one resource, viz., the application of the 
heated iron; but this is far from infallible, and, in despite of all our 
efforts, the swelling and lameness too often continue to increase, 
until the animal is unfit for every kind of service. The division of 
the flexor tendons has been tried, but has generally come too late, 
or the pastern joint has been too long and too much doubled for¬ 
ward to admit of its return to its proper situation. 
M. Bouley now relates some cases. In the first, attended but 
by slight swelling, a cure was effected in fifteen days by the use of 
emollients. 
In the second, the swelling and lameness were more considerable; 
they shifted from one leg to the other, and at last both were affected 
at the same time, and the horse was unable to stand during many 
days. Bleedings, local and general, Avere resorted to, and emollient 
