CURB. 297 



animal be allowed to rest for a couple of days or so, he may 

 go sound apparently, and ])e perfectly free from lameness, 

 but after driving awhile he becomes lame again. It is 

 probable that in most horses having curb there is a 

 slight predisposition. In many otherwise well-formed 

 hocks there may be noticed a slight prominence, perhaps 

 not more than half an inch in length, located on the seat 

 of curb. Such a conformation may be said to predispose, 

 and on putting such an animal to severe work the chances 

 are that a fully-developed curb will appear. On flexing 

 and manipulating the hock, etc., and trotting the animal 

 out, it may be observed that the lameness is increased. 



Treatment. — Hot and cold applications should be long 

 and frequently used. The animal should be shod with a 

 shoe having a moderately high heel and no toe. Re- 

 frigerants, as ice- water, etc., are very useful ; anodyne 

 liniments are also of great benefit. Rest is absolutely 

 necessary. After the irritation has subsided to a certain 

 extent, counter-irritants should be employed in the shape of 

 vesicants, using those that will not blemish. The vesicant 

 should be a good strong one, and in exceptional cases it 

 may be necessary to use the firing-iron ; but it should only 

 be used as a last resource, and is sure to blemish. In some 

 slight cases of curb, where a horse is wanted for a par- 

 ticular day, and cannot be laid off work for longer than a 

 couple of days, it may be relieved by the use of refrigerants, 

 as ice- water, etc., plentifully applied. Plumbi acetas in solu- 

 tion will also be found of great benefit. As much rest as 

 possible should be allowed, and the chances are that the 

 animal will be got ready for the day he is wanted. 



SPRUNG HOCK. 



Sprung hock is a sprain, or an enlarged and inflamed 

 condition of the tarsus in general, involving the whole of 



