144 
OBSERVATIONS ON WINDGALL. 
less in diameter than the tumour externally. Ulterior examina¬ 
tion of the parts proves that the opening which was to be detected 
by examination during life has taken place or been formed by a 
protrusion of the lining membrane of the cavity of the joint press¬ 
ing against that part at which the capsular parietes, whether 
ligamentous or tendinous, are thin and weak, and the edges of the 
opening are formed by the rounded edges of the capsular ligaments 
and of the extensor tendon, precisely analogous to umbilical hernia: 
in truth, the windgall is a true hernia; and whether it be situate 
at or in connexion with one joint or another, I am disposed to be¬ 
lieve that all windgalls will be found to be of a similar character. 
Such being the morbid condition of the parts, it will be at once 
apparent how impossible it will be to effect a removal of the ma- 
lady, unless you had the power of bringing together the edges of 
the opening through which the tumour has escaped, and causing 
these edges to unite. It is the inability to produce this state which 
has caused windgall to be set down as incurable, and, as it fre¬ 
quently does not produce lameness, this is allowed to pass. 
Still we must bear in mind that though windgall does not render 
an animal lame so as to be unfit for general use, yet that this con¬ 
dition betokens that there is an original want of strength in the part 
in which it may be manifested; and, when they are formed, they 
are very prone to take on inflammatory action after a more than 
usual average day’s work. 
The object that is held in view in the treatment is to produce 
absorption and consequent diminution of the sac; but unless the 
treatment adopted shall have the effect of producing deep-seated 
action, and, as a consequence, a thickening as well as contraction 
of the parietes of the tumour, the remedy will be of no avail. 
Hence we see the inefficiency of any mere rubefacient; and, un¬ 
less the actual cautery is had recourse to, the system adopted is 
only of the palliative kind—cold, bandaging, rest, and physic— 
and in a vast majority of cases, this is sufficient to restore the 
animal to usefulness. Yet there are a considerable number of 
good horses rendered in a greater or less degree lame, and, in con¬ 
sequence, diminished in their value, and which are not looked at 
as proper subjects for the employment of the actual cautery ; and 
it is to these cases that my treatment more particularly belongs. 
A horse being lame from this malady, no matter at what part 
situate, should at first be put under the usual treatment of cold, 
bandaging, or lotion, physic, and rest. This may be followed by 
the application of a mild sweating blister: in the general way 
this will remove the lameness; but a few days or weeks’work 
returns the animal as lame, or perhaps worse than ever. Again 
and again the same treatment may be pursued, and with the same 
