90 The Ailments of Horses. 



Young horses with u])right hocks are 

 said to be j>articularly liable, but it is not 

 at all uucomnion in adult animals. 



It is the ca})sular ligament of the 

 hock joint proper (tibia and astragalus) 

 which becomes distended with fluid. 



Signs. — A swelling at the back and 

 upi)er part of the hock, capable of being 

 pushed from side to side, and without 

 lameness or inflammation. It is only in ex- 

 ceptional cases that the former is present. 



Treatment. — Paint the swelling daily 

 with tincture of iodine, though it is 

 doubtful whether it will cure. 



Pressure is as good as aught else. Fill 

 the hollow of the hock with pads of tow 

 and put on an elastic bandage. Some- 

 times a thorough-})in truss is used. 

 Puncturing the swelling has been tried, 

 but is no good without it is repeated 

 several times, at intervals of about six or 

 eight weeks. 



The cavity is washed out with iodine 

 after the operation. 



Toe, bleeding from, in disease. — 

 Bleeding from the toe is certainly a very 

 ancient practice ; but whether it has been 

 attended with the benefits accorded to it 

 by some, w^e are rather sceptical. 



Its use has been largely advocated by 

 old writers —and some present ones as 

 well — for the treatment of inflammation 

 in the feet (founder here). 



The horn is pared away at the toe until 

 blood flows out. This is encouraged by 

 soaking the foot in warm water for a few 

 minutes. 



