DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 127 



Treatment is about the same as in wind-galls. Rest the animal to a 

 certain extent ; use hot or cold applications — cold preferable ; counter- 

 irritation, and in some cases puncture, but the more seldom you punc- 

 ture the better ; but if there is serum and pus, then puncture. If you 

 treat such a case, it is better to treat it in the fall of the year ; you 

 may reduce it. I have known it reduced, and it never was noticed 

 afterward. There is no specific for it, but just use those remedies 

 that will tend to cause absorption. You may derive benefit from 

 diuretics. 



Near the side of the os-calcis there is a groove, through which the 

 tendons of the flexor pedis performs, play and sprain frequently occur, 

 and various names are applied. It is called 



Spring" Hock, but perhaps a better name is sprain of the tendon. 

 A sprain here, even of a slight character, is apt to be attended with 

 serious results, and is most likely to occur in horses used for fast work, 

 especially if there is a heavy weight upon the back. 



Symptoms. — There is difiiculty in extending and flexing the limbs ; 

 swelling ; and pressure causes pain ; the heel lifted from the ground ; 

 there may be constitutional fever, and if so, intense pain. It requires 

 a great amount of rest to effect a cure. Hot applications, I think, are 

 preferable to cold. Apply bandages ; a high shoe is good, as it tends 

 to take the strain off the muscle. A good way to apply heat is to take 

 a large sack, and slip it over the foot and up around the part, and 

 stuff it with hot bran. If in a cold stable in cold weather it is prefer- 

 able to poultices, etc., after a time. Repeated blisters, or a seaton in 

 some cases, might be useful. An abscess may be the result — extensive 

 swelling, pain and fluctuation — then open, apply poultices, etc , and 

 after the irritation goes down, blister. This is rather a serious affection. 



Below the Hock, — Injuries here are about the same as in the fore 

 limb, but the tendons are not so liable to be cut, but they may be cut, 

 and a portion of the tendon be removed, and a tolerably good recovery 

 be effected. 



Capped Hock. — This is a common and not a serious occurrence. 

 It is produced by injuries to the tuberosity of the os-calcis. It is a 

 little swelling upon the point of the hock. The gastrocnemius inter- 

 nus winds around the externus and forms the cap of the hock, and in 

 this place there is a large synovial bursa ; there is also a bursa situated 

 between this and the skin, and injuries to these give rise to capped 

 hocks. 



Causes. — External injury, as kicking, etc., are common causes. 

 Some animals have a habit of kicking in the stall. It may be caused 

 by being cast in the stall or box, and some will do it in a nice loose 

 box, perhaps from the manner in which they lie down, or by standing 

 near and rubbing against the side of the stall. Another cause is from 

 influenza or strangles ; from debility and slight dropsical tendency, 

 but it soon disappears if from this cause, when the animal gets 

 stronger and is exercised. It may come in plethoric or gross animals, 

 or from some derangement of the system. It is easily produced — it 

 may be produced in one night. It is easily detected. There is swelling 

 in the part, and, although not serious, it is an eye-sore. It rarely 

 interferes with an animal's usefulness. Endeavour to find whether 

 it was suddenly produced or not. If is between the skin and tendons, 

 there may be a slight exudation, heat, etc., in the parts; but the 

 symptoms are more severe when the synovial bursa is affected. It is 

 generally violently produced. It extends to the sides of the os-calcis; 

 there is heat and pain, and the animal will go stiff and perhaps lame. 



