CURB. 127 



action of these joints, the inflammation and the bony secre- 

 tion rapidly spread. The pasterns, in the first instance, 

 become connected together by this bony process, which 

 supplants the ligaments, and then the joints become im- 

 movably fixed, or what is technically termed anchylosed. 

 From this joint the disease is carried to the cartilages of the 

 foot, and to the union between the lower pastern, as well as 

 to the coflin and navicular bones, which either impedes or 

 totally destroys all action in these parts, and this part of 

 the foot becomes an entire mass of spongy bone. 



OSSIFICATION OF THE BACK SINEW. 



Ossification of the back sinew is very easily distinguished. 

 When a healthy sinew is pressed upon with the thumb and 

 two first fingers, from above downwards, it feels like a very 

 tense cord, yielding slightly under the pressure, but spring- 

 ing back to its natural position the moment that pressure is 

 removed. When the sinew is ossified, it is divested of that 

 elasticity so obvious to the touch of even the most inexperi- 

 enced. It is true that in its incipient state it is not so 

 readily discovered, as its bony texture has not been fully 

 formed, although an expert veterinary surgeon will be able 

 to detect it soon after it has begun to form. In the earlier 

 stages of ossification of the back sinew, no lameness takes 

 place, but it is certain to render the horse lame eventually, 

 and that, too, for the remainder of his life. There is no 

 remedy for this infirmity. 



CURB. 



This is a swelling below the hock, caused by hard work 

 and by the animal being overloaded ; and sometimes occa- 

 sions lameness. It is most common in cat-hammed, high- 

 bred horses, especially when young ; and is caused by leaping 



