TIIE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 285 



me that the hock should be extensively fired ; but, instead of so 

 doing, the following plan of treatment was adopted : — 



" I cut a slice, transversely, about half an inch in thickness, off 

 a large bottle cork, and this was pierced by four common-sized 

 darning needles, so that their points projected about half an inch 

 from the surface. The cork was used in order to give the needles 

 a firm position, and to admit of the distances of their projecting 

 points being graduated according as required. I then plunged 

 the needles into the enlarged sac, on each side, which was fol- 

 lowed by a slight oozing of serous fluid. The hock was after- 

 wards ordered to be well fomented. This treatment was daily 

 repeated until the 



" 16th, when no particular change had occurred. The opera- 

 tion was to be daily continued ; but, instead of fomenting after the 

 puncturing, the parts were to be well smeared with an ointment 

 composed of hydriodate of potass one part, mercurial ointment 

 one part, blister ointment half part, and lard ten parts. 



"25th. The thoroughpin is evidently somewhat reduced. 

 After each operation the swelling partly subsides, but subsequently 

 fills again. The ointment is occasionally discontinued for a day. 

 I was now resolved to try the effect of pressure. For this pur- 

 pose I applied a spring truss to the hock, upon the enlarged 

 bursa, which was to be daily punctured, as before, with the appli- 

 cation of the ointment as often as it could be safely used. After 

 the first application of the truss, it was quite astonishing to 

 observe the difference in the enlargement, which had become 

 quite soft, and evidently showed that its contents would be 

 absorbed. The mare wore this truss day and night, and took her 

 walking exercise in it daily. I need not follow the case in detail, 

 but simply state that, on the 



10th Aug., the enlargement of the hock was almost gone, and 

 that, in a very short time afterwards, it became as clean as the 

 other joint. The truss was discontinued on the 



" 20th Aug., when the mare was discharged. Up to the present 

 time there has been no appearance of a return of the affection. 



"Remarks. — This is the fourth case I have treated success- 

 fully in this way ; and, from what I have seen of the plan, I am 

 quite satisfied it is extensively applicable. The late Mr. Ions, of 



