214 



Common Diseases of the Horse 



and arnica lotion swabs kept in position by a roller with gentle 

 pressure. 



Neglect of attention leads to the formation of fistulous withers. 

 The latter disease is often incurable. 



Capped Elbow 



This is also known as " Shoe Boil ". It is a swelling behind the 

 elbow caused by the latter coming in contact with the heel of the 



shoe, or sometimes by lying on 

 hard ground. It may occur in 

 a single night, and be found in 

 the morning larger than a man's 

 fist, or the swelling may start 

 gradually and increase in size. It 

 does not often cause lameness, 

 but sometimes microbes gain an 

 entrance and matter forms. In 

 the latter case lameness is marked, 

 the leg is moved with great stiff- 

 ness, and a swelling is found which 

 often extends down to the knee. 



Treatment. — This consists in 

 the prevention of further injury, 

 and for this purpose a thick pad 

 may be girthed on to the lower 

 part of the chest, just behind the 

 elbows, or a thick rubber ring 

 strapped into the hollow of the 

 heel, or a boot placed upon the 

 foot. It may be also advisable to 

 shorten the heels of the shoe. 



Occasionally shoeing with a bar 

 pad is useful. If the swelling is 

 caused by contact with the hard 

 ground, a good bed of peat moss 

 should be provided. If after adopt- 

 ing the above preventative methods 

 the swelling is not absorbed, it is for 

 the owner to decide whether or no further treatment shall be tried. 

 If no lameness is present, and the tumour is soft and flabby 

 it is usually better left alone ; or even if it is fairly large and hard, 

 and not too unsightly, it is wise not to interfere. When, how- 



Capped Elbow 



