804 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



methods of treatment. In the use of the bandage, the compression should be upon the 

 swelling. Compresses or spring trusses are very useful for this purpose. Blistering is fre 

 quently recommended, and more frequently practiced for this difficulty, but rarely results 

 with any permanent benefit. 



Bloody Urine. (SEE H^MATURIA.) 



Bog Spavin. An enlargement generally in front of the hock joint, while in blood 

 spavin the swelling is not only in front but extends to the inside and outside. Treatment the 

 same as for blood spavin (which see). 



Bone Spavin. Bone spavin, or spavin proper, is an enlargement of the hock joints 

 caused by a growth of bony matter which generally involves the heads of the splint and com 

 mon bones, and the small bones with which they connect. Strains by hard labor will produce 

 it, or anything that causes the weight and concussion to be thrown principally upon the inner 

 splint bone and produce inflammation of the cartilaginous substance that unites it to the 

 shank bone, thus inducing a bony deposit at this point. Raising the outer heel higher than 

 the inner one in shoeing in order to prevent interfering, will sometimes cause spavin. 



It generally makes its appearance upon the inside of the hock, and in front of the mid 

 dle of the joint. There is always a lameness and considerable pain while spavin is forming, 

 even in its earliest stages, and is most noticeable when a horse is first taken out of the stable. 

 After being driven a short distance, the lameness will seem to subside, but will make its 

 appearance again after standing a short time, and starting again. Sometimes horses are so 

 lame from spavin that they are rendered entirely useless, while it is not infrequent that horses 

 with large spavins are only slightly lame, or a little stiff in their gait. The pain and lame 

 ness is usually less severe after the bony process is completed. 



Bone-spavin is the most serious kind of spavin with which a horse can be affected. If 

 properly treated in the first stages, it is frequently cured, but no cure can be effected after a 

 considerable amount of bony formation has taken place. When taken early, rest, with a little 

 exercise, such as that taken by a horse in being turned into a pasture, together with the 

 use of counter irritants on the part affected, such as blistering, will usually prove benefi 

 cial. Never resort to firing; it is a barbarous practice, and invariably results, not only with 

 no benefit, but in a positive injury. 



After a considerable growth of bony material has taken place, no treatment whatever 

 will be able to cause an amount of absorption sufficient to produce a cure. The wisest course 

 to pursue in the early stages of the disease, and the one recommended by some of the best 

 veterinarians, is, to turn the animal out to grass, supplying him with cooling yet nutritious 

 food, and that which is moderately loosening to the bowels. Constipation or other feverish 

 tendencies should be avoided. During this time the joint affected may be bathed twice a 

 day, for a week or more, with salt and vinegar, after which the blistering salve, or a substi 

 tute, may be applied to the spavin, care being used to judiciously regulate the application 

 according to the effect it produces, avoiding over-irritation. Sometimes one application will 

 be sufficient; in other cases it will need to be applied again in three or four days. After 

 producing considerable irritation, the spavin may be permitted to heal until all the heat and 

 inflammation have subsided, when the treatment may be again renewed. Avoid blistering 

 too severely, as the difficulty may by this means be aggravated ; an inflamed sore may be 

 produced in this way that will be difficult to heal. 



Another method of treatment in the first stages, is the application of cold water until the 

 inflammation is reduced; this should be thoroughly applied the same as for any other inflam 

 mation, after reducing which an application to cause absorption of the bony material should 

 be made as follows: Mercurial ointment, four ounces; powdered cantharides. a half ounce; 

 oil of rosemary, two drachms. Mix these well together, and apply to the spavin daily. The 



