140 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIER V. 



absorption of the bony deposit, or at least a diminution of 

 the ligamentary inflammation. When this fails, then re- 

 course may be had to the cautery, and if burning proves 

 ineffectual, no other known means is likely to succeed. 



BOG OR BLOOD-SPAVIN. 



Bog-spavin is a puffy elastic tumour on the inside of the 

 hock, (plate 7, fig. 6, c.) It is in fact an enlarged and 

 inflamed wind-gall of the part situated under the large 

 subcutaneous vein which runs up the inside of the leg, and 

 which being compressed by this enlargement, prevents the 

 blood from flowing freely through it. This interruption of 

 the circulation not only increases the size of the tumour, 

 but also occasions a general torpor and stagnation of the 

 blood, and, consequently, swelling of the limb in a slight 

 degree, which presents an obstacle to its free action, and 

 produces a very bad and incurable lameness. Even when 

 lameness is removed, it has a strong tendency to return 

 whenever the animal is subjected to severe labour ; and 

 therefore a horse having some time been afflicted with it 

 must be considered as decidedly unsound ; so that the 

 safest plan is to get rid of a horse under those circuin- 

 stances ; and he may be worked in a cart or plough without 

 the danger of a return of the malady. 



The seat of this disease is deep, and consequently there 

 is much difficulty in operating upon it. The simplest, and 

 probably the best application is uniform pressure, which 

 may induce absorption of the fluid contained in the enlarged 

 mucus-bag. But this joint being exposed to almost constant 

 motion, there is much difficulty in keeping the pressure 

 uniform, and if it should happen to press upon the vein, 

 it will only increase the inflammation. 



Remedies. — This, like bone-spavin, admits but of a limited 



