109 



md is, of course, objectionable. When the svvell- 

 ng extends from one side of the leg to the other, or 

 :hrough the limb as it were, it is called " thorough 

 )in." 



A curb (from the French word coiirber) is a 

 ivvelling of the back part of the hock, just below 

 ;he cap of the joint, and arises from a sudden 

 ;train, such as the abrupt halt in a charge of 

 i3avalry. In the sound state, the line of the leg 

 Tom the hock to the heel is almost perpendicular : 

 fit inclines at all, it is inwardly. The effect of a 

 burb is to alter this inclination immediately under 

 i;he hock, and to give a little elevation or outward 

 purvature to the line : of course it becomes visible 

 on looking at the profile of the leg. Lameness is 

 Dy no means a necessary consequence, especially 

 f the disease is of old standing : the eye, therefore, 

 )r the touch, must be relied upon as the only cer- 

 ain guide to discover it. 



A capped hock, as it is called, is a complaint 

 hat should always excite suspicion. It is a soft, 

 )ulpy tumour at the tip of the hock, and usually 

 (ccasioned by a blow or a kick against the side of 

 he stall. Where such a swelling is perceived, it 

 hould lead to a very close examination of the 

 vhole joint, for it is often caused by a violent 

 prain. If it appears to be wholly independent of 



