MODERN BLACKSMITHING 169 



but usually they are sprains, blows, hard work, and, in 

 fact, any cause exciting inflammation of this part of 

 the joint. Hereditary predisposition in horses is a 

 frequent cause. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms vary in different cases. 

 In some horses the lameness comes on very gradually, 

 while in others it comes on more rapidly. It is usually 

 five to eight weeks before any enlargement appears. 

 There is marked lameness when the horse starts out, 

 but he usually gets over it after driving a short dis- 

 tance, and, if allowed to stand for awhile, will start 

 lame again. 



There is sometimes a reflected action, causing a little 

 difference in the appearance over the hip joint, and if 

 no enlargement has made its appearance, a person not 

 having had experience is very liable to be deceived in 

 regard to the true location of the difficulty. The horse 

 will stand on either leg in resting in the stable, but 

 when he is resting the lame leg he stands on the toe. 



If the joint becomes consolidated the horse will be 

 stiff in the leg, but may not have much pain. 



Treatment. — That it may not be misunderstood in 

 regard to what is mearit by a cure, would say that to 

 stop the lameness, and in most cases to remove the 

 bunch on such cases as are not past any reasonable 

 hopes of a cure. 



But I do not mean to be understood that in a case of 

 anchylosis (stiff joint), I can again restore the joint to 

 its original condition; for this is an impossibility, 

 owing to the union of the two bones, making them as 

 one. Neither do I mean that, in any ordinary case of 



