DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



803 



better method in all respects. The following cut, copied from Kendall s Treatise on The 

 Horse, shows the location of many of the common diseases of the bones and joints of this 

 animal. 



SKELETON OP THE HORSE. 



Anchylosis. This is a stiffening of the joints caused by the bone becoming united by 

 bony material instead of the natural ligament. It is generally produced by extreme hard 

 service, and especially in horses that are too young for hard work and before the bones and 

 joints are sufficiently strong to endure the strain. The bones of the back and loins, as well 

 as the limbs, are liable to become affected in this manner. When this difficulty exists to a 

 considerable extent in the back, the horse will be stiff-backed, and consequently turns around, 

 lies down and gets up with some difficulty. There is no cure for it. 



Blood Spavin. This is a somewhat soft swelling caused by an enlargement of the 

 sack which contains the lubricating fluid of the hock joint, giving it a rounded appearance. 

 Young horses and colts, especially if overdriven or worked hard, are more liable to have 

 this form of spavin than older horses. It does not always cause lameness, unless the horse is 

 worked sufficiently hard to aggravate the evil. It may, however, be justly regarded as unsound- 

 nass, and lessens very materially the value of the animal. Blood spavin is caused by bog spavin, 

 and results when the distended sack of lubricating fluid, which produces the latter, becomes 

 so enlarged that the vein which passes over it is compressed between this enlargement and 

 the skin, to the extent that the blood is impeded. The accumulation of blood in the vein, in 

 consequence, distends it, this distension generally reaching as far as the next valve, and we 

 have what is called blood spavin. When once reduced, it is liable to occur again. 



Entire rest for a time, together with frequent bathing of the affected parts with cold 

 water, rubbing carefully with the hand, and bandaging, are generally the most successful 



