DISEASES OF THE BONES. 



775 



back again. There is a remedy I have found to work with great 

 success in the removal of these synovial enlargements during their 

 acute stage. 



In making a campaign through Wisconsin, in 1867, one of 

 my trained horses acted so rebellious oneday that I was compelled 

 to force him back sharply with a whip, throwing him upon his 

 haunches. Soon after the drive, when cool, he acted quite sore 

 and stiff, showing quite an enlargement 

 of the hock. I supposed the horse was 

 spoiled. During the day a half drunken 

 fellow, in looking at the horses, said that 

 he could " remove that enlargement, and 

 cure it." Considering the case incurable, 

 I paid no attention to him at the time. 

 The man feeling annoyed at the indiffer- 

 ence with which he was treated, said, " I 

 suppose you think I don't know anything 

 about horses, but if you will take some 

 soft soap and salt, rub on the part thor- 

 oughly at night and wash off in the morn- 

 ing for two or three times, I'll warrant 

 you that will be cured." 



It occurred to me that it would do no 



harm to try the experiment, so I directed the man who had charge 

 of my horses to apply the soft soap as directed. He did so, and 

 next morning the swelling was greatly reduced ; and after repeat- 

 ing two or three times, it entirely disappeared. In consequence 

 of hard driving and strains, the parts became puffed to a greater 

 or less degree several times afterward, but always yielded to a few 

 applications of soft soap well rubbed in. 



While this remedy will work well on acute cases, its effect is 

 not satisfactory upon old, confirmed cases ; for if the enlargement 

 is brought down, sharp driving or straining of the parts will usu- 

 ally bring back the trouble. I consider trusses and all that sort 

 of thing of no special account in this difficulty. I have been told 

 repeatedly of parties who punctured these enlargements to allow 

 the secretions to run out, that in each case so much inflammation 

 was excited in the joint as to cause the loss of the horse. 



Blood spavin is supposed to be caused by a distension of the 



FIG. 080. Thorough-pin. 



