BLOOD SPAVIN. 299 



inner side of the hock, spherical in its form, and of considerable 

 magnitude, conveying heat to the feel and tenderness to pressure, 

 which, from its producing lameness, and perhaps to a serious 

 amount, peremptorily calls upon us for 



Treatment. Of what kind, however, will depend upon the 

 state in which the hock is brought to us. 



Supposing that there is evidence of inflammation existing in it, 

 even though that be of but an incipient or declining character, 

 blood-letting, in as topical a form as practicable, had better, without 

 loss of time, be had recourse to. We seldom do much good by 

 opening any vessels about the hock for this purpose, and, therefore, 

 our best practice is either to let blood from the femoral vein, or 

 from the artery circumflexing the toe of the foot. In general, 

 the former is adopted. A dose of cathartic medicine may aid our 

 object. And continual fomentation — ^^with the spongio-piline in 

 particular — will do a great deal of good. As soon as inflammation 

 has departed, either a blister or the firing-iron may be brought to 

 bear. In general, the blister will be sufficient. Anv tumour, and 

 consequent stiffness of motion in the joint, that may remain after 

 the blister, will be relieved, if not removed, by iodine ointment 

 well rubbed into the enlargement daily ; in combination or not 

 with mercurial ointment, according to the judgment or caprice of 

 the practitioner. 



Blood Spavin. 



In Hunter's " Complete Dictionary of Farriery and Horseman- 

 ship," — " compiled from the best authors" — blood spavin is de- 

 scribed to be " an enlargement of the vein which runs withinside a 

 horse's hough, forming a little soft swelling in the hollow part, which 

 is pliant to the touch, and is frequently productive of weakness or 

 lameness of the part. When this disorder is in its infancy, it will 

 frequently give way to the use of spirituous and saturnine applica- 

 tions," &c. But "if, after following this mode of treatment for a 

 sufficient length of time to insure success, &c. there should appear 

 little or no amendment, the (following) blistering application had 

 better be tried." 



After such a declaration as this, on the authority of the " best 



