278 



THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



affects the largest articulation in the hock joint. It is always 

 best to try a blister before firing, for in some cases a blister 

 will cure them all right. Blister with 



Biniodide of Mercury 2 drams. 



Vaseline or Lard 1 ounce. 



Mix thoroughly together. There is enough to blister an 

 ordinary sized spavin twice. Apply half of it over the inside 

 of the hock where the enlargement is situated, rub in thor- 

 oughly and grease the parts three days afterward. If an 

 occult spavin, or if the enlargement goes right through the 

 joint, use all the blister at once, that is, half on the inside 

 and half on the outside. In three weeks wash the parts with 

 warm water and soap, and blister again as before. Eepeat 

 the blister a few times, and, if not somewhat better, fire it 

 with the feather iron. (See Fig. 45.) Use three of these irons, 



Fig. 45 



get them red hot, place a twitch on the horse's nose, have 

 one of his front legs held up, and proceed to fire. Draw the 

 lines as shown in Fig. 46, always a good half-inch apart each 

 way. Run the iron lightly, 

 as shown, until a white line 

 appears, indicating that it is 

 quite deep enough. The best 

 place to heat the irons is at 

 a blacksmith shop, and if the 

 horse is very ugly it may be 

 necessary to throw him in 

 the same way as for castra- 

 tion. Continue the firing and 

 blistering until it effects a 

 cure, which may take from 

 six months to a year or two. 

 Do not blister for six or 

 seven days after firing. 

 Work the animal a little be- 

 tween times, as it is bene- 

 ficial. Shoe him with a high 



, til i-iii Fig. 46. — Method of "Firing" a Spavin. 



heeled shoe, which helps to 



throw the strain off the hock joint. After firing and blister- 

 ing, always keep the animal out of the water, as becoming 

 wet scalds the hair and skin, causing it to become very sore. 



