234 DISEASES OF HORSES. 



Ihe lubricating medium. By over exertion or hard work thcs« 

 bmsal bags becDme extended, and their contents increased, and 

 distended into puffy swellings in the hock, called, when on the ply, 

 bog spavin. The pressure of this sometimes occasions a varicose 

 state of the superficial vein, which passes directly over it on the 

 inner side of the hock, and which enlargement then receives the 

 name of blood spavin. When the brusal enlargement extendi 

 through the hock, it is called thoroughpiu. When it is situated 

 below in the bursEe of the flexor tendons, near the fetlock joint, it 

 receives the name of Vv'ind gall. 



90. The treatment in all these cases must be similar in principle, 

 and consists in lessening the distended sac — not as was formerly 

 practised to the destruction of tlie horse often, by letting out the 

 contents of these wind galls ; but by strengthening the sides of the 

 tumours by stimulants or by pressure. The more active stimulants 

 are the liquid blister, (Vet. Fharm. 141,) milder ones are found in 

 the astringent wash. (Vet. Pha. 134, No. 1.) Bandages assist greatly, 

 when well applied to the part, and in desperate cases firing has 

 been resorted to, which is nothing more than a more violent stimu- 

 lant and a more permanent bandage. 



91. Capulet is a bursal enlargement of the point of the hock, and 

 is to be treated by friction, astringents and bandage. 



92. Curb is an inflammation of the ligaments at the back of the 

 hock, and is usually removed by astringents. (Vet. Pha. 134.) 

 When it does not give way to these, the sweating liquid blister 

 may be applied. (Vet. Pha. 142.) 



93. Cracks and grease may be considered as modifications of one 

 and the same affection, and are commonly brought on by some 

 neglect in all horses ; but when they occur in any but the thick- 

 heeled low bred animals, they are invariably so. Over feeding or 

 under feeding, but much more frequently the former, will bring it 

 on. A very frequent cause of it is the practice of washing the legs 

 uf horses and suffering them to dry of themselves. In every case 

 without exception, washing the legs should be avoided, unless they 

 be rubbed perfectly dry afterwards. When horses have long hairs 

 about their heels, and are washed and then left wet, the evil must 

 be doubled ; as the evaporation going on, cools and chills the heels, 

 and thus produces; a species of chilblain ; and we well know how 

 iiTficult these are to heal when broken. Cracks in the heels very 

 »ften occur iji horses removed too suddenly into full keep from pre- 

 '' >us straw or grasf^ ij- from these to a hot stable ; which Ly tiie heal 



