XIL— THE TREATMENT OF SPAVIN. 



During a previous lecture I stated that spavin, like most other 

 exostoses of mechanical or traumatic origin, produced by violent 

 strains during movement or by concussion, gives rise to lameness 

 during its period of development. This is usually first treated by rest, 

 and blisters to the internal surface of the base of the hock. In this 

 way some cases soon become sound, but in the majority lameness 

 either continues unchanged or returns intermittently. 



Pathological anatomy affords the explanation of this persistent 

 lameness by demonstrating the existence not only of a limited osteo- 

 periostitis of the superficial layers of the affected bones, but of 

 articular lesions. Veterinary surgeons have long been agreed on this 

 point. The question at present in dispute is — Which of the morbid 

 changes in this complex process occurs first ? What is the primary 

 lesion ? Is the mischief at first confined to the points of insertion of 

 ligaments, and must we regard the changes in the lower joints of the 

 hock as secondary ; or, does spavin originate in the depths of the 

 articulation, and is the bony swelling which appears after a certain 

 time, only a consequence of articular inflammation extending to the 

 periosteum ? Or, again, does inflammation of the joint occur simulta- 

 neously with that of the periosteum, and do the two develop together ? 

 Many different opinions have been enunciated. 



Aronsohn has recently carried out some in\-estigations tending to 

 confirm those of Goubaux and Barrier, and favourable to the doctrine 

 that spavin starts externally. According to this author, the disease 

 commences as a periostitis, due to hyper-extension of the internal 

 tarsal ligaments and tendon of the flexor metatarsi. The arthritis 

 which occurs in the lower tarsal joints is regarded as always secondary. 



Aronsohn's memoir appeared in 1893. He states that Eberlein, 

 Joly, and Barrier have all carried out important investigations on the 

 pathology of spavin. The conclusions are as follows : 



According to Eberlein the first lesion of spavin consists in osteo- 



