774 



DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



The following is the treatment used by one of the most suc- 

 cessful veterinary surgeons in this country: — 



First, put on a high-heeled shoe, then take boiling water, and with a 

 sponge have the curb well bathed for about ten minutes. Then apply the 

 following liniment: — 



1 ounce aqua amonia, 



2 ounces tincture of iodine, 



3 ounces glycerine. 



Apply to the part two or three times a day, until quite sore. Then stop 

 for a few days, when repeat the medicine as before, and so continue until 



again sore. 



Bog Spavins and Thorough-Pins. 



This disease may be called wind-galls of the hock, caused 

 usually by strain and overwork, but principally by lunging back 



upon the hind legs. When the swelling is 

 inside and front of the hock, it is called a 

 bog or blood spavin. This is caused by a 

 distension or rupturing of the membranes 

 which cover the synovial cavity of the joint. 

 The sw^elling is soft, and yields to the press- 

 ure of the finger. 



Thorough-pin is of the same character — 

 an enlargement on the back, inside of the 

 upper part of the joint, where in its natural 

 condition is a hollow. This swelling extends 

 across under the tendon, forming a tumor 

 between the calcis and thigh bone. It is 

 simply a rupture of the synovial membrane 

 allowing the synovia to escape. By press- 

 ing upon one side, the swelling is pushed 

 through to the other side; and sometimes 

 there is connection with swelling in front. These enlargements 

 rarely cause lameness, though sometimes they may cause inflam- 

 mation of the parts involved. 



There is no satisfactory treatment for these difficulties. Blister- 

 ing sharply is the treatment usually pursued. If this fails, firing 

 is the last resort. There is no difiiculty in bringing down an en- 

 largement of an ordinary bog spavin by blistering, but as soon as 

 the horse is put to work or strained in the least, it is liable to come 



Fig. 679. — Bog or blood 

 spavin. 



