SPAVIN. 215 



scribed in character, while in cases where the inflammation 

 is diff'used the feathering-iron is probably the best. Firing 

 is a very old method, and has been employed in the treat- 

 . ment of spavin for hundreds of years. The punch is also 

 used occasional]}'- at the present day, and was first recom- 

 mended by Professor Dick, of Edinburgh. In many cases 

 setons appear to have a good eff'ect, and are desirable, as 

 they leave no blemish. A seton when used should be 

 inserted right over the seat of the enlargement, passing 

 under the inteo;ument for a distance of about two inches. 

 A digestive ointment, as cantharides, is to be kept on the 

 seton, which may be allowed to remain for three weeks or a 

 month, after which it should be removed, and the wound 

 allowed to heal. Tarsal tenotomy is also recommended, 

 and is of great benefit in many cases if the inflammation is 

 circumscribed, but will not do if it is diff'used and the whole 

 hock affected. In using the firing-iron it is advisable to fire 

 all the way around the articulation, but the lines or points 

 should not be made so deep in front as on the outside and 

 inside. A great many so-called specifics are sold for spavin, 

 and some are no doubt useful, as they are counter-irritants, 

 but on the whole they are frauds. 



RINGBONE. 



Ring-bone may be defined to be a ring of osseous material 

 extending around the limb just above the hoof. Inflammation 

 is set up usually in the cancellated tissue of the bone, and the 

 same changes take place as in spavin. Ring-bones are de- 

 scribed as true and false, true ring-bones being further sub- 

 divided into low and high ; it is known as low when it involves 

 the coffin-joint; and high when it involves the pastern-joint, 

 and also when (as in some cases) it extends up to and in- 

 volves the fetlock-joint. The term 'false ring-bone' is ap- 

 plied to any. osseous enlargement in this region, other than 



