SHOULDER-JOINT LAMEXESS. 199 



collar, as it would render the part a little tender for a while 

 by friction from the collar. Take Spanish fly in powder, 

 one drachm ; hog's lard, six drachms ; mix, and make an 

 ointment, or salve, and rub the better half of it into the 

 skin. Next day wash off with warm water (not hot), and 

 when dry from washing, anoint the blistered parts with 

 oil or lard, daily, for a week. It is not advisable to put 

 horses to work, or even exercise, too soon after getting well 

 from lameness. 



Bhoulder-joint Lameness. — This is a more serious 

 form of lameness than sprain of the muscles of the shoulder. 

 It consists in the softening of the articular cartilages of the 

 joint, with inflammation of the joint membranes, and great 

 secretion of unhealthy synovia, (joint oil) producing bulging 

 of the ligaments, (capsular) and covering the joint. It can 

 be detected by making the horse stand upon the lame limb, 

 and by holding up the other one. This is a disease similar 

 to spavin in the hock-joint, which accounts for the unsatis- 

 factory results of treatment. 



Symptoms. The horse drags his toe, and throws his leg 

 out at every movement of the limb. 



Treatment, As before stated, this is rather unsatisfactory, 

 from the fact that the cartifegcs are likely to be destroyed, 

 and the bone underneath apt to become ulcerated ; but if 

 taken in time, much good can be done. In many cases, a 

 cure can be effected by the ointment of red iodide of 

 mercury, well rubbed in once a week, for a few times. 



Take of bin-iodide of mercury, two drachms ; hogs lard, 

 two ounces. Mix well on the bottom of a dinner plate, or 

 a smooth slate, with a table knife. Of this ointment, take 

 one-fourth and rub well into the joint, tieing up the horse's 

 head for a few hours, to prevent his getting at the shoulder 

 with his mouth ; allow soft bedding for the front feet to 



