DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 225 



The false joint is that between the lower end of 

 the astragalus and cuneiform bones. The last- 

 named is only a gliding and has no hinge motion 

 like the upper one and is the seat of bone spavin. 

 There is a baggy ligament called the capsular sit- 

 uated in front and inside of the hock joint. The 

 use of this ligament is to protect a very delicate 

 membrane which secretes the synovial fluid (joint 

 oil), to lubricate the joint. When this ligament 

 and its membrane become irritated from strains, 

 bruises or other injuries, it is apt to secrete too 

 much joint oil, and the result is that there is a 

 bulging of the ligament. This is what constitutes 

 What is called bog-spavin. This is a very common 

 trouble among heavy draft colts, and sometimes 

 adult draft horses, as they usually have big, loose 

 joints and a number of them have crooked hind 

 legs, although it may occur on any kind of hock. 



Symptoms of bog-spavin are more or less bulg- 

 ing in front and a little to the inside of the hock 

 joint. It seldom causes lameness and may appear 

 suddenly or by degrees. If there is lameness the 

 other structures will be affected. There will be 

 heat and pain and a stiffness of the joint. 



Treatment: When heat and soreness present 

 themselves bathe several times a day with cold 

 water and apply a little lead lotion after each 

 bathing, half an ounce of lead acetate to the quart 

 of water. After the heat has subsided or in cases 

 where there has been no heat or soreness use bin- 

 iodide of mercury one dram, lard one ounce. Rub 



