six weeks of rest can be allowed the animal, one affected with 

 bone spavin would therefore not be treated with the expectation 

 of obtaining good results, as six weeks' time, at least, is necessary 

 for a successful outcome. If the cost attending the enforced 

 idleness of an animal of this kind is considered prohibitive for 

 the employment of proper measures to affect a cure, and if lame- 

 ness is slight, the animal should be given suitable work, but in 

 eases of articular spavin in aged subjects, they should be hu- 

 manely destroyed and not subjected to prolonged misery. 



A thorough knowledge of the structure and functions of the 

 affected parts is necessary to proceed in cases of lameness ; like- 

 wise, the age, conformation and temperament of the subject need 

 to be taken into consideration; the presence or absence of com- 

 plications demand the attention; the kind of care the subject 

 will probably receive directly influences the outcome; and the 

 character of service expected of the subject, too, needs to be 

 carefully considered before the ultimate outcome may reasonably 

 be foretold. 



The practitioner is often confronted with the prolilem of how 

 best to handle certain cases. Will they do better under condi- 

 tions Avhere absolute quiet is enforced, or is it preferable to allow 

 exercise at will? The temperament of the animal must be con- 

 sidered in such cases, and if a lame horse is too active and play- 

 ful when given his freedom, exercise must be restricted or pre- 

 vented, as the ease may require. In cases of strains of tendons, 

 during the acute stage, immobilization of the affected parts is in 

 order. In certain sub-acute inflammatory processes or in in- 

 stances of paralytic disturbance where convalescence is in prog- 

 ress, moderate exercise is highly beneficial. 



Consequently, each case in itself presents an individual jn-ob- 

 lem to be judged and handled in the manner experience has 

 taught to be most effective, appropriate and practical, and the 

 veterinarian should give due consideration to the comfort and 

 welfare of the crippled animal as well as to the interests of the 

 owner. 



