DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 305 



Treatment. — Keep the animal very quiet, bathe well with 

 lukewarm water and salt three times a day, and after bathing 

 rub dry and apply the white liniment. 



24. Sprain of the Muscle Running Up From the Hock on the 



Inside of the Hind Leg. 



Causes. — A severe sprain of the leg such as may result 

 from slipping in drawing may affect this muscle. 



Symptoms. — There is a thickening of the muscles above 

 the hock, and the animal is stiff for a few days. The stiff- 

 ness soon disappears, but a thickening remains if not treated. 



Treatment. — Allow him to remain idle. Bathe the parts 

 twice a day with lukewarm water and salt, if in the winter, 

 but if in summer use cold water and salt. After bathing rub 

 dry and apply the white liniment. When the stiffness and 

 soreness disappear blister to remove the thickening, using 

 the following. 



Pulverized Cantharides .... . . . . 2 drams. 



Vaseline or Lard 1 ounce. 



Mix and apply about half the amount. Rub it in well 

 and after three days grease it. Repeat the blister every three 

 weeks until the thickening disappears. Turn the animal out 

 during treatment. 



25. Bog Spavin. 



This is a puffy enlargement partly on the inside and 

 partly on the front of the hock joint. There is an over sup- 

 ply of joint oil secreted in the joint, and this bulges out the 

 capsular ligament at this, part of the joint. 



Causes. — Horses with round, meaty joints are mostly 

 subjected to this. Keeping young colts in the stable and 

 feeding them high without much exercise, fast work or strain 

 of the joint will cause it. 



Symptoms. — There is a puffy enlargement on the inside 

 and front of the hock joint sometimes larger than others. 

 Peeling it indicates that it is full of oil. If it comes on from 

 a sprain there is lameness for a few days, but this passes off 

 and leaves an enlargement. 



Treatment. — If the animal is lame, bathe with lukewarm 

 water and salt twice a day ; in warm weather use cold water, 

 and in cold weather use warm water ; after bathing rub dry 

 and apply the white liniment. Continue this treatment for 



