WEST OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 211 
sideration that we have to deal with varied structures distinct in 
their formation, their’ functions, and their pathology, but ail so 
united for a special purpose, that disturbance of any of them is 
sufficient to derange the exact working of the whole. The study 
of diseases of the joints, therefore, involves to a greater or less 
extent that of the affections of the osseous system, the foundation, 
as it were, of the articulations; of cartilage and fibro-cartilage, 
interposed between the bones to play the part of buffers; of fibrous 
tissue or ligaments, of synovial membranes with their synovia, as 
well as of connective and adipose tissues, which serve as packing 
material to fill up the hollows. 
The Koch. 
External to the hock, but still playing an important part 
in its mechanism, are various tendons, as well as synovial 
bursae, the pathological conditions of which, in their relation to 
this joint, will be brought under notice. It is well known that 
the hock is the most common seat of lameness in the hind ex¬ 
tremities of horses which are used at paces beyond a walk. As 
the anatomy of the hock is well understood, it will not be neces¬ 
sary to occupy any time in describing it; we may, therefore, pro¬ 
ceed to the practical part of our subject. 
Capped Koch is the name given to any enlargement of the point of 
the hock, the result of a bruise, most commonly produced by horses 
rolling in their stables, especially if they have not much bedding. 
Some horses are much more in the habit of rolling than others. 
Capped hock is also produced by kicking at the sides of the stall. 
When recent it is the result of inflammation of cellular tissue 
and effusion of serum into that structure of the cap formed by 
the skin and connected to the outer covering of the broad ten¬ 
dinous expansion which plays on the os calcis. In severe cases, 
arising from repeated kicking, there is often an effusion of lymph, 
which may either become organized or degenerate into pus, or a 
tumour varying in its consistence may be the result. In whatever 
state the disease may exist, it has rarely any communication with 
the bursa beneath the tendon on the point of the hock. 
Treatment .—In the early stage reduce the inflammation by 
constant application of cold water and hand rubbing, should that 
not produce entire absorption of the effused material, then apply 
carefully with a feather about once a week on both sides of the 
hock over a large surface, omitting the affected part, not less 
than one ounce of tincture of iodine, the strength of which is four 
ounces of iodine to twenty ounces of methylated spirit. 
Capped elbow is pathologically the same condition as that of 
capped hock, and is caused by the animal lying upon the heels of 
his shoe; therefore the first step in the treatment is to put on a 
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