BOG SPAVIN 129 



and there is marked lameness. Usually, however, it is a dropsical 

 condition, and the swelling is cold and fluctuating. No pain is evinced 

 on palpation, and lameness is rare, the only cases being those in which 

 the distension is so large as to interfere mechanically with the action 

 of the joint. 



Prognosis is generally favourable, since animals affected with bog 

 spavin commonly work well throughout life without treatment, and 

 experience little, if any, interference with the action of the joint. The 

 condition is more unsightly than injurious. 



In recent cases, where there is heat and pain, the part should be 

 treated with cold applications, and when the acute symptoms have 

 subsided the joint should be blistered. 



Frequent applications of tincture of iodine commonly bring about 

 a diminution in the size of the enlargement in young animals. Firing 

 is frequently resorted to, the enlargement being either line-fired or pyro- 

 punctured with needle-irons. Another method of treatment is to open 

 the enlargement surgically. There is little difficulty in performing this 

 operation and in evacuating the contents, but great difficulty is 

 experienced in successfully preventing the appearance of an even greater 

 enlargement. Dean's aspirator is the best instrument for this purpose. 

 The aspirator has two barrels placed side by side. One is to accom- 

 modate the contents of the sac during the process of evacuation whilst 

 the other contains the injection solution, and the principle is that the 

 contents may be discharged from the sac and a solution injected into it 

 without withdrawing the nozzle of the syringe. The subsequent treat- 

 ment consists in blistering the joint. 



