DISEASES OF HORSES. 1 59 



a twist and use; it's much pleasanter to give medicine 

 and less danger of strangulation. 



BONE SPAVINS AND RINGBONE. 



The causes and symptoms are too w^ell known to re- 

 quire an}^ particular illustrations as to the whys and 

 wherefores. Very many pretenders have set to work 

 to cure without the least idea of the real origin. 



The old style treatment was to apply the firing iron, 

 drawing a line over the joint, and adding curved lines 

 on the side. This used to be the only means resorted 

 to except applying a blister. This treatment must 

 bring pain enough to the poor brute to produce lock- 

 jaw. It would seem as though the operator meant to 

 make sure to cover over all the parts affected to effect 

 a cure. The latest mode is an iron, shaped similar to 

 the shape and size of an egg, with sharp point. When 

 hot touch the centre of the enlargement; once I think 

 sufficient if it goes deep enough to touch the bone. 

 That of itself will set up an inflammation; then apply 

 over the bunch of osseous deposit a severe sweat com- 

 posed of the following unguent: citron ointment 3 

 oz., pulv. cantharides i oz., add enough sweet oil to 

 make a paste, then apply as above stated, and heat 

 in. Repeat if necessary. Rest is the only thing es- 

 sential until the animal recovers (1/ ever). My opin- 

 ion, from a thorough and practical knowledge of the 

 structure and situation of the disease generally, is 

 that the less you torture and afflict the better for all 

 concerned; yet a liniment made of tr. capsicum 4 oz., 

 tr. opium 4 oz., ess. sassafras 4 oz,, ess. wormwood 4 

 oz., and applied over the parts affected briskly with 

 good hand-rubbing will do more to relieve than all 

 other remedies applied. After several years* experi- 

 ence I have concluded to drop the spavin and ring- 



