472 FARMERS INSTITUTES. 



disease the first thing noticed is lameness, accompanied with a variable 

 amount of fever in the part. Now, if the inflammatory process can be 

 checked in this stage before the deposit has taken place, the disease may be 

 warded off. Then, on the other hand, the owner's attention may not be 

 directed to the part until the enlargement has actually occurred. When 

 the disease is thoroughly established, the animals, if lame, will get better 

 with progression, sometimes coming out of the stables excessively stiff, and 

 after being driven for a variable distance will begin to go comparatively 

 sound until the limp can scarcely be noticed. This has been accounted for 

 from the fact that motion stimulates, the secretion of joint oil (synobia), 

 and that this lubricant facilitates the movement of the joint to such an 

 extent as to cause little inconvenience to the animal. There can be but 

 little doubt that the other structures accommodate themselves to circum- 

 stances also with progression. When the creature is in the stable it will 

 stand in that position most calculated to ease the part. If the hind leg is 

 at fault, it will rest upon the toe of the diseased foot ; if the front leg is 

 wrong, the affected foot will be kept often in advance of its fellow, and careful 

 observation will detect that more weight is borne by the well leg than the 

 disabled one. 



In the treatment of this disease we must first of all consider what is to be 

 done, and then use those curative methods which are best calculated to 

 accomplish our object; but the fact must not be lost sight of that when 

 different feet are affected different symptoms will be exhibited. When, for 

 instance, the front feet are affected, and the heel comes to the ground first 

 during progression, they should be shod with thin-heeled shoes; but, 

 on the other hand, when the hind legs are at fault, and the toe is brought 

 to the ground first, the high-heeled shoes must be applied. By observing 

 these rules in shoeing, it will often happen that comparatively worthless 

 animals are made able to perform their work tolerably well. 



In the early stage of the disease, before the deposit has taken place, those 

 remedies which allay local inflammation should be used, and nothing is bet- 

 ter in the summer-time than showering with cold water; in cold weather 

 warm fomentations should be used. After the acute inflammation has sub- 

 sided, a blister may be applied with advantage, and a run on soft pasture 

 given for a couple of months or so, will be of great benefit. In those cases 

 where the deposit has already formed, the union of the bones is the object 

 sought for, and to assist nature in doing this, rest should be given, by plac- 

 ing^the animal in a comfortable loose box, and then applying such remedies 

 as blisters, or sometimes firing has a very beneficial effect when blisters fail. 

 The great objection to firing is that it generally leaves a permanent blemish, 

 but if it is properly done this need not be unsightly. In some cases, which 

 resist all other forms of treatment, the operation of newrotomy is followed 

 by very beneficial results. 



Mr. Palmer: Are there not valuable liniments for spavin? 



Dr. Grange : Yes, anything that will cause a blister, like cautharides, is 

 good. 



Mr. : Would you recommend firing irons? 



Dr. Grange: It sometimes does good, but it makes a permanent blemish, 

 and its service can be rendered by less severe means. 



