50 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 



cannot fire deep enough to come at the callous substance without it» 

 removal. In order to destroy the vein, cut a nick through the skin 

 upon it, just below the Spavin, and another just above it, and put a 

 crooked needle under the vein, and tie both ends : then cut the vein 

 across between the tyings, both above and below, and you may either 

 draw the piece of the vein out or leave it in. 



Let the iron you fire with be pretty sharp; cut four or five nicks 

 upon the bone, and let the iron take hold of the superfluous bone, in 

 order that it may waste away by mattering; and when you have 

 done, lay on some white pitch, pretty hot, and put a cloth round it to 

 keep it on. In three days open the place, and dress it with yellow 

 basilicon. 



Some people put lunar caustic, or sublimate, into the places; but 

 it is a dangerous practice, and often lames the horse forever. I wish 

 those who have got a horse that has a Bone-Spavin to make a full 

 trial of the directions here given, and I trust they will find them to 

 answer the purpose as well as any hitherto found out. 



THE BLOOD-SPAVIN, OR BOG SPAVIN. 



Many farriers and horse-dealers divide this disease into two heads, 

 and give them different names; but to my certain knowledge they 

 are both one, for I have proved it many ways. A Blood-spavin does 

 not come by breeding from spavined mares, nor by being got by spa- 

 vined horses, as the Bone-spavin does; but you may safely breed out 

 of a Blood-spavined mare, or have foals got by a Blood-spavined 

 horse. 



In my opinion Bloofl-spavins are generally brought on either by 

 Sprains, or hard labor when the horse is young, and sometimes when 

 he is full-grown. 



The Blood-spavin, or Bog-spavin, is a dilation of the vein that run* 

 along the inside of the hock, and forms a small soft swelling' in the 

 hollow part, which in time renders the creature lame, but seldom till 

 the gelatinous matter becomes ropy, like melted glue in a bag, and ia 

 situafe on the inside of the hough. Sometimes it goes through to the 

 back part of the joint, and then it is called a thorough-pin. 



Cure. — Soon as you discover the vein puffed up, or forming a bag, 

 lay on some blistering ointment, and in four days after bathe the 

 swelling well with hot vinegar, with a little saltpetre dissolved in it. 

 Also put a bandage round it to disperse the swelling as much as you 

 can. If this method do not succeed, you must make two incisions in 

 the skin lengthwise, as the vein runs, one just above, and the other 

 just below the joint, and lay the vein bare: then put the end of a 

 buck's horn under it, raise it up, and fasten it in both places with 

 waxed thread : then cut the vein in two at both places, within the ty- 

 ings, and if you think proper, draw the vein out. This method of 

 proceeding will cure most Bog-spavins at the beginning. Spring, or 

 the back end of the year, is the most proper time for this operation, 

 but the latter is preferable, as you can then let the horse run out 

 most of Winter, which will be of great service to him. 



