HORSE SENSE. 223 



small it i? be?t left alone. May be your blacksmith has pared away too 

 much of the quarters, or has allowed the toes to grow too long; or else 

 you have allowed the flexor tendons to become too much strained by 

 too fast or too long continued drives. 



Question. What constitutes a bog spavin? I have a mare that 

 has an enlargement on hock joint that my neighbors say is bog spavin. 

 She is not lame. I would like to take the bunch of¥ if possible. A. A 

 bog spavin, that is, an enlargement of the capsular ligament of the hock 

 joint, very seldom causes any lameness, and, therefore may as well be left 

 alone; at any rate unless the causes, usually defective mechanical pro- 

 portions in the hock joint and an uneciual distribution of weight and con- 

 cussion, can be removed. Hence, no treatment will have any lasting ef- 

 fect. A temporary reduction may be effected by iodine preparations — 

 tincture of iodine, for instance — if applied once a day for several months 

 in succession. 



Question. I have a horse that has been lame in his left fore foot for 

 over a year. I have blistered his shoulder for sweeney, but it did no 

 good. He is as lame as ever, although I have treated him for several 

 months. What had I better do? A. If you will kindly inform me where 

 the lameness is situated, and give a lucid description of its characteristic 

 features, I may be able to answer your question. Meanwhile give your 

 horse absolute rest, or else consult a veterinarian personally. 



Question. I have a valuable horse that has a running sore from his 

 neck. He was bit by a stallion about one year ago and it has never 

 healed up. What can I do? A. In the wound you describe, the bottom 

 is probably lower than the opening, so that the pus that is formed cannot 

 be discharged. The wound, therefore, is equivalent to what is usualljr 

 called a fistula. The facts in the case must be first ascertained by carefuE 

 probing. If this reveals that the bottom is lower, either the wound must 

 be enlarged or a lower opening must be made. If this is done, and the- 

 wound is kept clean and dressed twice a day with some antiseptic, say — 

 according to circumstances and to the condition of the wound — either 

 with a three or five per cent solution of carbolic acid, or with iodiform, 

 a healing will be effected. It is much cheaper in all cases to employ a 

 good veterinarian, and pay him for his services, than to lose a good 

 horse. 



Question. What would you do with a sweeney on a three-year old 

 colt? A. If the colt is lame, have the foot examined and see if the 

 trouble is not there. If it is, the shoulder always shrinks from sympathy. 

 If it should be in shoulder, a rowel will be in order, left in about two 

 weeks. 



Question. Can splints on horses be cured? If so, what is the cure? 

 A. If your horse is not lame from the splints, let them alone. They will 

 disappear by a natural process in time. If lame and near the knee joint it 

 will be well to apply a sharp, absorbing blister, iodine of potassium, 4 

 drachms; iodine, 4 scruples; mercurial ointment, 2 ounces. Mix and ap- 

 ply on splints once a week for three applications. 



