1002 DISEASES OF THE HOCK. 



surprising that lameness appears periodically, is sometimes lost and 

 then returns, or that in certain exceptional cases recovery takes 

 place without treatment of any kind except complete and prolonged 

 rest. From a purely theoretical standpoint there is no reason why 

 the lesions in the joint may not disappear and the parts recover in 

 every respect the status quo ante, but, in point of fact, this termination 

 is very rare. As a rule, recovery is only relative, and is followed 

 by obliteration of the affected joints. When the articular surfaces 

 have undergone change and the cartilage is destroyed, repair is 

 absolutely impossible, and recovery can only result from fusion of 

 the opposing diseased articular surfaces. This takes from eight 

 to ten weeks, but may be indefinitely prolonged ; sometimes it never 

 occurs, and the lameness is incurable. In actual practice it is never 

 possible to fortell with certainty how the case will terminate, though 

 a careful consideration of all the facts may give some indication. 



Though union principally depends on the animal being rested 

 and placed under treatment, failing which the parts seldom unite, 

 and lameness persists, the converse is not equally true, for even the 

 most energetic treatment is not always successful. Resolution, i.e., 

 the disappearance of inflammation and local change, is exceptionally 

 rare. 



Errors in diagnosis have led to the belief that absorption often 

 occurs, and that absorptive processes may be assisted by treatment. 

 Moller's experience is quite opposed to this view, which is due to 

 confusing with spavin (i.e., arthritis chronica) many varied disease 

 processes, the sole common feature of which is lameness. It is 

 certainly difficult at times confidently to diagnose spavin on the 

 first examination, especially if no reliable history is available. 

 Nevertheless, an attempt at distinction should always be made, 

 otherwise prognosis and treatment are mere gropings in the dark. 



Not infrequently lameness diminishes or disappears after a long 

 rest, but the improvement is only temporary, and as soon as the 

 horse returns to work, lameness recurs in an even severer form. It 

 is clear that, with rest, the inflammation may diminish in intensity, 

 but it seldom disappears completely. Though spavin may be viewed 

 as a typical disease of the hock, yet it shows many variations in course, 

 partly on account of the conformation of the joint, partly of the 

 degree and extent of disease processes, but especially of the variation 

 in external influences, amongst the principal of which must be ranked 

 the treatment employed in the particular case. 



In forming a prognosis it is necessary to bear in mind all the 

 factors which favour relative recovery, i.e., which contribute to 



