DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



233 



slacken the ligament. Then put on several thick- 

 nesses of cloth around the joint and keep it con- 

 stantly wet with acetate of lead half an ounce, 

 tincture of arnica two ounces, water one quart. In 

 a few days this treatment will remove the inflam- 

 mation and the lameness. If there is any enlarge- 

 ment left, blister it with biniodide of mercury one 

 dram, lard one ounce. Repeat in two or three 

 weeks if necessary. If there is no inflammation 

 blister at once. If it is down where the tendon is 

 attached to the bone and is hard use cantharides 

 two drams, biniodide of mercury one dram, lard 

 two ounces. Apply a little of this every third week 

 and continue it for several months if needed. I 

 have had a number of cases in which the first blis- 

 ters seemed to have no effect in reducing the lump, 

 but by continuing it for several months absorption 

 took place and the enlargement disappeared. In 

 cases where animals have a natural curby hock 

 and it does not cause lameness it is best to let it 

 alone, as it is not at all likely that it can be re- 

 moved; it is only a loss of time and torture to the 

 horse. The disease of the back tendons and fet- 

 lock joints are the same as on the fore legs. 



Injuries to the Hock Joint.— The hock joint is 

 very liable to injuries from being kicked by other 

 horses, and is also liable to sprains, which often 

 set up violent inflammation, with great swelling 

 and lameness, and if not treated in time will form 

 matter, and in some cases destroy the joint or 

 cause the death of the animal. No matter what 

 has caused the injury, we should aim at keeping 



