68 



as well as the outside, immedialel}^ opposite each oth- 

 er : whence it obtains the name of thoroughpin, be- 

 ing supposed to go through the joint. When one of 

 those tumors is pressed it yields, and the fluid it con- 

 tains is thereby forced into that on the other side ; 

 when the pressure is removed it immediately returns 

 to the same state as before. 



The disorder has no other effect upon the animal's 

 going, or value, than its appearance amounts to, as 

 it conveys the information of its having been worked 

 too hard, and too early in life, as do all these minor 

 evils we are now considering. Like unto the other 

 disorders of this class, blisters and rest are the only- 

 remedies; apply blistering ointment composed of can- 

 tharides and spirits of wine. 



SPAVIN. 



Bog spavin is the more common, blood spavin but 

 rare. Both varieties, as bone spavin, owe their ori- 

 gin to hard work in early life, in the same manner as 

 just adduced in cases of windgall, and thoroughpin. 

 Bog spavin is caused by the joint oil of the hoof issu- 

 ing into the membrane that surrounds it, and stagna- 

 ting under the vein causes this to swell. The old me- 

 thod of taking up the vein by ligature should be aban- 

 doned as a long and tedious mode of cure ; the circu- 

 lation has then to force a new channel, in doing which 

 irritation of the parts adjacent is the means of cure, 

 by promoting absorption ; whereas the same effect 

 may be produced by blistering, as in the two corres- 

 pondent disorders just named above. 



Bone Spavin. — This disorder consists of a bony- 

 enlargement at the upper end of the shank bone, in- 

 side of the hock-joint, or a little below it. It belongs 

 to the hind leg only; and if not undertaken in lime 

 becomes incurable. 



Cure. — At the commencement only it may be ef- 

 fected easily, by simply blistering the part all round 

 the hoof, in such a manner as to raise the blister to a 

 good extent. Generally, in bad cases it would be ad- 

 visable to repeat the blister; in which event, let the 

 former ones be first well cleansed away with Goulard's 

 extract, diluted with water. But should the duration 



