90 ' OX LAMENESS. 



The utilitv of this conformation consists in fur- 

 ^lishing greater elasticity to the joint than it 

 would have possessed had this part been com- 

 posed of one solid mass. When the inflamma- 

 tory attack commences in this part, osseous 

 matter is thrown out, and an union of these 

 small bones ensues, forming together a hard 

 substance, perceptible not only to the touch, 

 but to the eye. AVhcn an union of tliese bones 

 has taken place, their original individual mo- 

 tion and elasticity will be lost, and the result 

 will be an incurable lameness. The favourable 

 crisis for the removal of this complaint is on its 

 first attack, before the exostosis is formed, for a 

 horse will frequently be lame for a considerable 

 time before the spavin makes its appearance. 

 But an unaccountable propensity which grooms 

 and farriers have to fix upon either the whirl- 

 bone or the stifle, as the seat of lameness in the 

 hind extremities, induces them to apply the re- 

 medy to those parts ; and during the time 

 which is wasted in this injudicious process, a 



spavin 



