J 95 



A horse with a spavin, as Percivall said, is especially lame on stepping out 

 of the stable, on the day following after a heavy day's work. Dragging of 

 the toe is sometimes noticed,- on riding a horse down a steep hill ; and, in this 

 manner, spavin has been not unfrequently detected. Percivall was the first 

 authority to whom we are indebted for accurate descriptions of spavin. 

 Regarding the actual position generally taken by spavin, we cannot do 

 better than quote his words. " It is precisely the interval between the 

 prominence where the hock ceases, and the canon-bone begins, that is the 

 site of spavin. A small round tumour interrupts the natural declivity from 

 the hock to the canon bone, and in a moment catches the eye of the 

 experienced observer. In cases where the tumour being small, or flat, or 

 diiTuse, is indistinct to the eye, the observer will not make up his mind 

 concerning it, until he has narrowly compared the suspected, with the sound 

 hock." 



In some severe cases, the lameness of spavin is characterised by a kind 

 of spasmodic jerking up of the limb, at the instant the heel comes into 

 contact with the ground. Sometimes there may be no lameness ; but, when 

 active change is going on in the bones, this is rarely or never absent. In 

 all cases the examiner should feel both hocks, when he wishes to compare 

 them with the view of noticing any difference of conformation. It is 

 customary to examine the near hock with the right hand, and the off one 

 with the left. Often a spavin can be felt, when it is too small to be observed 

 with the eye. Animals with spavin should not be used for breeding 

 purposes, unless, indeed, the disease be due to some external cause, such 

 as a sprain. 



In those cases of lameness from spavin, which are seen in the very early 

 stages, a purgative should be given in the first instance, and the animal 

 should be rested, and shod with a high-heeled shoe. Locally, a blister of 

 ointment of biniodide of mercury may then be applied. If ineffectual, 

 setoning or firing will then be necessary. Unless the spavin gives rise to 

 lameness, treatment is seldom carried out. Firing- is commonly adopted in 

 those chronic cases which have resisted the milder remedies, such as 

 blistering, or the douching with cold water, practised by some. In applying 

 the actual cautery, the horizontal lines should not be made too closely 

 together, but they should be pretty deeply burned in, in order to act more 

 effectually. After firing, a rest of six or seven weeks or more is necessary, 

 before the animal is again fit for work. Prick firing we frequently advise, 

 as it often proves more valuable than stripe firing. The prick iron we use 

 is different from the one commonly in use ; the prick at the extremity being 

 only about one-sixth of an inch in length. This is heated red-hot, and is 

 then thrust in in several places (see page 208). We do not recommend 

 setoning in cases of spavin. 



If it be decided to pass a seton, it is best to have the animal cast, and 

 one must take care not to injure the large vein, which runs over the inner 

 and front portions of the hock. The seton is passed vertically exactly over 

 the growth, or we may insert two smaller ones on each side of it. After 



