SIO PARTICULAR LAMENESSES. 



horse does not always cause lameness, we are warranted in 

 endorsing the popular and common conclusion, that an old- 

 standing spavin seldom does harm, and that it is only during 

 its formation it interferes with the usefulness of the animal. 



But a spavin, to terminate so favourably, must be limited in 

 its extent; perfect immunity from a recurrence of lameness 

 may result when it is confined to the cuneiforms and meta- 

 tarsals ; but if the superior surface of the cuneiform magnum 

 and the lower articulating surface of the astragalus are involved, 

 in addition to the others, I do not think that perfect restoration 

 can be effected. In many of the specimens in the College 

 Museum, not only are all the gliding bones involved, but also 

 the bones of the true hock-joint. Such changes must cause 

 permanent lameness. 



In conclusion, I may mention that a practice prevails in 

 some parts of the country by which hocks that present a want 

 of S5niimetry in the seat of spavin, and particularly if one hock 

 is larger than its fellow, are made as nearly alike as possible. 

 The operation is called causticking, and is as follows : — Upon 

 the coarse hock an incision is made a short distance below the 

 spavin, and a piece of caustic inserted subcutaneously to the 

 lase of the enlargement. This causes inflammation and a filling 

 up of the hollow beneath the spavin ; in fact, it hides the latter 

 by elevating the former. 



Upon the '' fine " hock the caustic is pushed up and lodged 

 in the spot where the spavin ought to he ! This makes the one 

 hock as coarse as the other ; the coarse one apparently finer 

 than before the operation, the fine one coarser. This operation 

 very often removes the lameness of spavin by exciting the 

 exudation of lymph, and hastening the process of anchylosis 

 between the cuneiform bones. 



DISEASES OF THE LIGAMENTOUS AND TENDINOUS STRUCTURES OF 



THE HOCK. 



TJiorough-pin is a bursal enlargement situated on the inferior 

 lateral aspect of the thigh and upper and posterior part of the 

 hock, arising from disease of the tendon of the flexor pedis per- 

 forans muscle, which is enclosed in a synovial sheath, on the 

 inner side of the os calcis, or from dropsy of the sheath, without 



