ANAI.YSTS or CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 
9-11 
CHRONIC FEMORO-TIBIO-ROTULIAN ARTHRITIS IN 
OX TRIBE, YULGARLY CALLED GOUT. 
By M. Bouleau, Veterinary Surgeon at Mantereau-faut-Yonne. 
The author by this name describes an affection of the 
stifile joint in cattle which seems to be of frequent 
occurrence in his district, he having had 806 cases during the 
time he has been in practice, about 30 years. The affected 
articulation is the seat of a dropsical condition of the 
synovial capsule, which is much distended by the accumu¬ 
lation of the fluid secreted, forming sometimes three large 
tumours, one on the outside between the ligament and the 
origin of the tendon. Soft fungus may exist in the capsule, 
but the ligament tendons and muscles remain healthy. 
These are the anatomical alterations at the commencement 
but if allowed to run its course a notable change takes place ; 
the worse modification is the deposit of calcareous substances 
and urate of soda incrusting the articular surfaces, and finish 
by either greatly limiting the movements of the articulation 
or preventing it altogether. No formation of pus or ulcera¬ 
tion of the cartilages has been found by the author. 
Etiology .—This has much preoccupied the author. It 
attacks more particularly young animals of two years and 
above old, and what is remarkable of the Norman race and 
an important remark is, that it often precedes or follows 
abortion or manifests itself after laborious or difficult 
parturition. 
Is there in this case simply coincidence or any pathological 
affinity between the serous membrane of the articulation 
and the genital? Several farmers have assured the author 
that when the cowmen were careless and brutal, allowed the 
cattle to be chased by their dogs, they have been visited by 
the malady. This led to suppose that running when 
provoked by dogs may often be a direct cause for animals of 
the bovine race not formed for rapid movements, the femoro- 
tibial articulation being, moreover, very limited in its 
extension in the normal state. 
Synptoms .—At first the animal is slightly lame, which 
becomes soon aggravated in a manner that the leg is held up, 
and is frequently shaken, causing intense pain. This is soon 
followed by distension of the capsule, which leaves no doubt 
of the seat and nature of the disease. 
Treatment .—The author has tried nearly all the topics in 
the pharmacopoeia without much success, when he thought of 
