SURGICAL TREATMENT OF THE DISEASES OF THE HOCK JOINT. 
2 49 > 
be distinctly outlined owing to an increase in its size, and is ex¬ 
tremely sensitive to pressure. 
With such clinical symptoms it is not possible to make any 
other diagnosis than that of sprain of the cunean tendon. We 
must at the same time bear in mind the fact that this lameness 
does not improve on exercise, but continues to grow worse with 
every mile travelled, and with every additional days labor per¬ 
formed; neither does he rest out of his lameness, in any reason¬ 
able number of days or weeks. 
Lesions of the Synovial .—It goes without saying that those 
causes which contribute to lesions in the tendinous structures 
also tend to compromise its synovial sheath; but it is by no 
means rare to find a synovial complication without an injury to 
the tendon. When the synovial lesion exists alone, or is but 
slightly complicated, the diagnosis is easily made. The rational 
and local symptoms are those of acute synovitis; the swelling 
on the face of the joint has a puffy, fluctuating character, and 
extends along the borders of the tendon. This is much more 
evident when the foot is raised from the ground. The hard, 
elongated tumor along the course of the tendon, which may have 
been mistaken for bone spavin, is now soft and fluctuating, which 
confirms the diagnosis. The lameness in this complication is 
not so intense as that associated with lesion of the tendon; it 
varies but slightly under the influence of work or rest, and the 
animal travels with the articulation more or less flexed and the 
extremity carried well forward. 
Lesions of the Articular Ligaments and Periosteum .—Acute 
spavin from lesions of this character, are perhaps, the most com¬ 
mon, and often give rise to the most serious consequences; es¬ 
pecially if treated by a timid surgeon. It is in injuries of this 
character that common bone spavin has its origin, and we may 
each ask ourselves these questions: Have I not in many cases 
contributed to the formation of spavin by the injudicious appli¬ 
cation of fire and blister ? Have I not had many cases of acute 
lameness of the hock joint grow worse and worse, and the cal¬ 
careous deposit become greater and greater after each repeated 
