THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 269 



mentary tissues ; and especially so in cases where there is some pre- 

 disposing taint lurking in the system : so that there are various 

 causes for spavin. Our views of the cure of spavin — that is, if 

 anchylosis can be considered in the light of a cure — are, that, in 

 order to render the animal capable of future usefulness, we must 

 follow in the path of nature, and aid her. For example, on 

 discovering a horse lame in the hock, having the usual symptoms 

 of spavin in its incipient stage, we should release him from 

 labor, or even turn him out to grass, thus, to some extent, guard- 

 ing against the irritation and inflammation which usually follow 

 hard work ; for we know that in the early stage of the disease 

 inflammatory action is active, and that hard labor and use of 

 the joint must aggravate it ; therefore any measures that are 

 taken, calculated to control or lessen pain and irritation, must 

 prove beneficial. By such means we place the patient in the 

 most favorable position for nature to perform a cure (anchylosis) 

 in her own time, and after her own fashion. 



Some people have an idea that nothing short of firing or blis- 

 tering can be of any benefit ; yet experience has shown that the 

 practice is unsatisfactory, as the reader will perceive on consult- 

 ing English authority. The fact of a few horses having been 

 restored after the application of the hot iron or blister is not 

 proof positive of its efficacy ; for, as we have said before, both 

 horses and men will sometimes get well in spite of all we can do 

 to prevent them. "We have succeeded in rendering horses as free 

 from lameness by mild means, as, we think, can ever be accom- 

 plished by the scientific, yet barbarous mode of fire and blister. 

 Our general advice is, during the inflammatory stage, let the ani- 

 mal have rest, and apply cooling, evaporating lotions to the parts. 

 Our usual remedy in this stage is 



Muriatic acid, 4 ounces, 



Water, 2 quarts, 



Tincture of bloodroot, .... 6 ounces. 



Applied daily by means of a sponge. 



Another equally useful remedy may be thus prepared: Take 



Strong acetic acid, 4 ounces, 



Water, 1 quart, 



Proof spirit, 2 ounces, 



Common salt, 3 ounces. 



Mix. 



23* 



