602 
LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
collects in the interspaces but. now described. At the same time, 
from the circumstance of the fluid not gravitating, but remaining 
in one place, it is evident that some agglutination of the cellular 
tissue around must take place, hence the formation of a complete sac 
or cavity. And this sac may, from subsequent distention, through 
absorption induced by the pressure of the fluid, burst into one of the 
true bursae mucosae situated underneath it—most likely into that 
belonging to the tendon of the extensor metacarpi muscle. When 
horses fall down and bruise without breaking their knees, extrava¬ 
sation of blood is apt to follow the accident, and this usually be¬ 
comes dispersed without being followed by serous abscess. A less 
violent injury will produce capped knee; it may even arise without 
any injury at all: like serous abscesses in general, however, when 
once it has arisen it is by no means disposed to subside, but, on 
the contrary, very often proves extremely obstinate, and now and 
then under treatment gives rise to solid in exchange for fluid depo¬ 
sition, inducing consolidation of cellular structures, and thickening 
of the skin covering them perhaps as well. It may happen, how¬ 
ever, that the case may take a totally different turn. Instead of 
proceeding to terminate in resolution, or permanent consolidation 
and thickening of parts, fluid may remain effused in a quantity 
and for so long a time as may, in the end, compel the person in 
attendance to open the abscess to save its bursting. Perhaps 
serous fluid or sero-purulent mixture may be let out at first, but 
afterwards pus becomes secreted, and true abscess presents itself. 
Or, from the swelling forcing itself against the bursa underneath 
it, the latter may break, and synovial fluid be discharged. This 
renders the case protracted, but not dangerous. All will ultimately 
do well, though, after the healing of the abscess, thickening causing 
blemish will, for some considerable time, remain. 
Capped Knee is occasioned by a Blow of some Kind. 
Either the horse strikes his knee against the manger or against 
the log swinging at the end of his halter. Some horses, from a 
habit of pawing in the stable, one they commonly acquire from 
impatience manifested at the time of feeding, are very apt to inflict 
upon themselves such injuries, and, in consequence, to become dis¬ 
figured, blemished perhaps, for some considerable time, to the no 
small annoyance, in the case of their being choice or valuable, of 
their proprietors. Horses at strawyard are frequently in their 
gambols striking their knees against posts or rails, or any thing 
that may happen to stand in their way; and since such accidents 
are little heeded at the time, but left to work their own reduction, 
every now and then it turns out that in one of them the fluid collects 
to that extent that no mode of cure remains save that of opening 
the abscess. In dropsical or oedematous affections of the limbs, 
