LAMENESS IN THE HIND LEG 233 



ing, an iiulurated enlargement) variable in size is developed. 

 In some cases the entire tarsal region becomes greatly enlarged 

 and this swelling is very slowly absorbed in part or completely. 

 Sneh snb-acnte cases are observed dnring the winter season and 

 particularly where subjects are kept in tie stalls without exercise 

 for weeks at a time. 



Treatment. — Attention slionld be directed toward i-elief foi- 

 the animal in all acute inflammations. Local applications of 

 heat are helpful and, of course, rest is essential. Towels that 

 are wrung out of hot water and held in position by means of a 

 few turns of a loose bandage and this covered with an imper- 

 vious rubber sheet, will serve as a practical means of application 

 of hydrotherapy. Following this when conditions improve, as 

 in the handling of all similar cases, counterirritation is indi- 

 cated. 



When proper care is given at the onset and where injury does 

 not involve too much ligamentous tissue, recovery takes place 

 in a few weeks but in some cases which occur during the winter 

 season in farm horses, complete recovery does not result until 

 several months have passed. 



Curb. 



The hock is said to be curl)ed when the normal appearance, 

 viewed from the side, is that of bulging posteriorly at any point 

 between the summit of the calcaneum and the upper third of 

 the metatarsus. Among some horsemen a hock is said to be 

 "curby" whenever there exists an enlargement of any kind on 

 the posterior face of the tarsus whether it be due to sprain, 

 exostosis or proliferation of tissue as a result of contusion. 



French veterinarians consider under the title of "courbe," an 

 exostosis situated on the mesial side of the distal end of the tibia. 

 Cadiot and Almy state that this condition (courbe) is of rare 

 occurrence. Percivall defines curb as "a prominence upon the 

 back of the hind leg, a little below the hock, of a curvilinear 

 shape, running in a direct line downwards and consisting of 

 infusion into, or thickening of, the sheath of the flexor tendons. ' ' 

 Moller's version of true curb is a thickening of the plantar liga- 

 ment (calcaneocuboid or calcaneometatarsal). Hughes and Mer- 



