DISEASES OF THE BONES. 



757 



off part, or a piece of cartilage prepared for the purpose, which 

 he claims is the spavin. Or the medicine may be so prepared 

 as to act as a severe blister. In any case, the unsuspecting 

 owner is usually induced to pay a liberal sum, either as pay for 



Fig. 644. — Back inside view of the 

 bones of the hock. 



Fig. 645. — Front outside view of the 

 bones of the hock. 



a. Tibia; h. Os calcis; c. Astragalus; d. Cuboides; e. Navicular; /. Outer 

 cuneiform ; g. Middle cuneiform ; h. Splint ; i. Cannon, or shank. 



the medicine, or to meet expenses, etc. This game is being played 

 constantly all over the country. 



There are innumerable patent cures for spavins, and concom- 

 mitant difficulties, which are usually nothing more than ordinary 

 blisters which act merely as counter irritants. In fact all the 

 great secrets for curing spavins, etc., are but mere pretensions of 

 the charlatan, and should deceive no one. During my early ex- 

 perience I frequently paid large prices for these pretended cure- 

 alls, wlUch did little more than convince me of the extent of 

 imposition practiced in this Avay, until I had no confidence in any 



