THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 243 



ordinary bursal sacs, and must therefore originate in effusion of 

 lymphy fluid. 



Treatment. — TV r e have now and then seen cases of elbow 

 tumor brought on by bruising the parts with the calking of the 

 shoe while the horse is lying down in the stable. Here the cause 

 is evident; we have a common bruise, and if it were treated 

 promptly with cooling applications, effusion might be prevented ; 

 but it happens in many cases that the injury is not perceived ; 

 and if it is, very little, if any, notice is taken of it, until, by a repe- 

 tition of the act, a callous or morbid local diathesis is confirmed, 

 and we observe a chronic tumor. 



The treatment then, in the early stage of bruise or injury to 

 the part, is the same as for bruise or injury in any other location — 

 mild, soothing, and refrigerating. In the case of a chronic tumor, 

 we first ascertain if it have a fluctuating feel: if that should be 

 the case, we puncture it with a common trocar, and canula, or an 

 incision may be made into it. If, on the other hand, we can 

 clearly ascertain that there is a dense tumor to deal with, the 

 best course is to cast the horse, make an incision, and dissect out 

 the tumor : the cavity should be sponged with tincture of myrrh, 

 .(to set up adhesive inflammation,) and the wound may be brought 

 together by sutures, leaving a small opening at the most depend- 

 ent part of the sac for the escape of pus. In view of promoting 

 healthy action, the part may be dressed daily, after being washed, 

 with compound tincture of myrrh. 



In a tumor that has no perceptible origin, but may be supposed 

 to arise in the manner just alluded to, viz., by effusion from the 

 scapular surfaces, the moment fluid can be detected at the point 

 of the elbow, pass a seton through it. We have tried all the 

 usual remedies, from a common irritant to a blister, in view of 

 absorbing the fluid, and have found nothing equal to a seton; but 

 it should be resorted to early, before a layer of fibrin has been 

 formed. 



CURB. 



A curb is an enlargement which makes its appearance on the 

 hind legs, about two inches below the hock. It is sometimes 

 occasioned by a blow ; but the most frequent cause is strain of 



