CAPPED HOCK. 295 



in proper position. If the enlargement still remains after 

 the above treatmentj^has been pursued for two or three 

 days, iodine in its various preparations may be used, and 

 vesicants will be of benefit, hydrarg. biniod. being the best 

 application in this trouble. The exciting cause should 

 always, if possible, be discovered and removed. Hence if 

 capped hock is found to result from pressure on the point of 

 the OS calcis when the animal is lying down, the parts 

 should be protected in some way by a pad, or the bedding 

 in the stall should be abundant and soft, so that the part 

 cannot be bruised. If it is caused by the animal kicking, 

 it may be necessary, when he is a persistent kicker, 

 to place hobbles on him while in the stable, so that he can 

 lie down, etc., but cannot kick. Capped hock is best seen 

 by a side view. Where serum or pus has formed, it may 

 be necessary to open up and allow the contents to escape ; 

 but it should not be opened so freely as capped elbow, as in 

 some cases there may ensue a considerable amount of in- 

 flammation. A seton may sometimes be passed through 

 the enlargement, and the contents allowed to drain for a 

 few days. The wound should be kept clean, and dressed 

 in the ordinary way ; and if it is summer time it should be 

 protected from flies, etc., carbolic acid lotion being excellent 

 for this purpose. If possible to cure in any other way, it 

 should never be opened, as afterwards the exudate shows a 

 tendency to solidify. 



CURB. 



Curb is an enlargement situated on the posterior aspect 

 of the hock. It is due to rupture or sprain of the calcaneo- 

 cuboid ligament, and in some cases probably the sheath 

 of the flexor tendons is involved, but not the tendon 

 itself. Of course it is possible for the tendon to suffer from 

 a sprain, but sprain of the tendon in this region is rare. 



Causes. — Animals of a certain conformation are pre- 



