74 CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURdERY. 



I believe that on this question of the pathology of spavin, as, for 

 that matter, of the pathology of other affections, it is very necessary 

 to avoid dogmatism. Because it is proved that a certain cause or 

 process occurs, that is no sufficient reason for absolutely neglecting 

 those whose influence is more difficult to demonstrate. The causes of 

 spavin are certainly many. Defective conformation of the hock, injury 

 suffered during movement, and strains of ligaments probably play 

 important parts ; while the constitutional condition of the animals and 

 the character of the bony tissue — consequently hereditary predisposition 

 — must not be lost sight of. 



We cannot explain why or how the bones which form the lower 

 portions of the hock, the synovial membranes interposed between 

 them, and the ligaments which unite them, should be exempt from 

 morbid processes which attack bones and serous and fibrous mem- 

 branes ; why, for instance, they should be exempt from injury by 

 products of microbic activity. Whatever its cause, however, unless the 

 inflammation in the periosteum, in the bones, or in the affected joints 

 is allayed, lameness results. Another cause of lameness persisting is 

 the mechanical disturbance, the interference with the action of the 

 hock caused by bony growths — a disturbance which is possibly of less 

 importance than is usually admitted, and which is certainly not con- 

 stant. We sometimes see large spavins which, however, do not render 

 horses lame. Furthermore, spavin very rarely interferes with the action 

 of the tibio-astragalar joint. 



The essential point in dealing with spavin lameness is to allay the 

 inflammation developed in, or propagated to the lower tarsal joints, 

 by producing anchylosis of these joints. Even when treatment follows 

 close on the appearance of the disease, it is hopeless to attempt 

 checking the inflammation or arresting its course. Treatment should 

 aim at hastening the evolution of the process and the production of 

 anchylosis. In this way the period of pain may be shortened, and 

 without doubt the extent of the morbid changes diminished. 



In old spavins, or in those which, though relatively recent, are 

 producing lameness, and which have resisted blisters or superficial 

 firing, what is the best treatment ? 



Among the methods suggested three stand pre-eminent, and usually 

 suffice : deep penetrating firing, tenotomy of the flexor metatarsi 

 tendon, and periosteotomy. 



Firing in fine deep points is nowadays the treatment most commonly 

 emploj-ed, and when used boldly, so that the red-hot needle penetrates 

 the exostosis, often gives good results. vSection of the inner terminal 



