112 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



During the treatment of this complaint, the follow- 

 ing laxative ball should be occasionally given : 



Barbadoes aloes . . 5 drachms, 

 Castile soap ... 2 drachms, 

 Oil of caraways . . 10 drops. 



The cause of this complaint is in general owing to 

 bad stable management and want of washing and 

 brushing the skin. 



ENLARGEMENT OF THE HOCK. 

 The origin of this is a sprain or inflammation, 

 affecting generally the hock-joint, produced principally 

 from some sudden or violent concussion ; checking the 

 horse abruptly when going at a rapid pace, or from 

 the animal being compelled to draw a greater v/eight 

 than his strength will enable him to do comfortably. 

 Considerable lameness, with tenderness of the parts, 

 always accompany this ; but these are not so difficult 

 to remove as in more limited inflammation. It will 

 yield to rest and fomentation in general ; but if not, 

 it will be necessary to have recourse to firing, which 

 generally proves effectual. However, it too frequently 

 happens that the enlargement of the whole joint 

 remains. But this will not incapacitate him for 

 work ; and if treated with ordinary caution, he may 

 be worked during the remainder of his life without 

 any increase of swelling or inflammation returning, 

 although the parts around the hock-joint are altered 

 in structure, and to a certain extent weakened. 

 Although a horse may never afterwards exhibit 

 lameness, still where permanent swelling of the hock- 

 joint exists, he is, in point of fact, regarded as un 

 sound ; because, if he happen by necessity or accident 

 to be subjected to extra hard work for a day or two, 

 he is almost certain to become lame, and that top 



