LAMENESS, FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 328 



Sponge the part quite often, for a day or two, until the heat and 

 attendant pain subsides; after which the affection will run on to 

 the chronic stage, and perhaps acquire magnitude ; then the treat- 

 ment must be altered. The object now is to excite absorption. 

 In that view, I recommend the following : 



No 18. Powdered iodide of potass 2 dr. 



Yellow basilicon 1£ oz. 



Mix. 



Apply a portion of this ointment to the enlargement, morning 

 and evening. 



Varix (known as Boo Spavin). 



Varix, or " bog spavin," consists of an enlargement on the in- 

 side of the hock, corresponding to a disease of the same character 

 in the human subject known as varicose veins. It very rarely 

 produces lameness, and most writers contend that it is nothing 

 more than an eye-sore. Be this as it may, it is a defect, and, in 

 the tye of the law, constitutes unsoundness, simply from the fact 

 that soundness consists in perfection of function and structure, and, 

 also, because sound horses do not have defects of this character. 

 The enlargement does not generally impair the usefulness of the 

 animal for ordinary work ; yet sometimes, in consequence of over- 

 work or sprain, the tumor acquires magnitude. 



It is always dangerous to attempt to remove varix, or to punc- 

 ture it ; and the only proper method of treatment, in view of lim- 

 iting its growth, for it can not be cured, is to bathe it often with 

 the following astringent lotion : 



No. 49. Fluid extract of witch-hazel 2 oz. 



Fluid extract of bayberry bark 4 oz. 



Proof spirit 1 pint. 



Mix. 



Bog spavin is an indication of weak and faulty hocks, unless it 

 can be shown that the animal has been made to labor too early in 

 life, or has performed excessive work beyond his capacity. Then 

 the affection can be accounted for, and may not owe its origin to 

 either fault or defect. 



