SUPPURATION. 187 



is known by the peculiar way the hind leg or legs are 

 raised from the ground — a quick, spasmodic jerk. 



Causes — Are two fold. First. The loss of nervous 

 influence, whereby the extensor j^edis muscle, and possi- 

 bly some others, are deprived of their proper power. 

 Second. The peculiar anatomical articulation, and gene- 

 ral structure of the hock-joint of the horse are suv:h, 

 that when the leg of a dead horse is stripped of its mus- 

 cles, the ligaments not disturbed at all ; and if the legs 

 above and below the hock be caught hold of by the 

 hands, and the leg straightened out, the moment the 

 hands are taken from it, it will spring into a bent posi- 

 tion on the instant, thus imitating stringhalt, as near as 

 can be. Thus the balance of power is not equal ; the ar- 

 ticulary ligaments of the hock are stronger than the 

 muscles of the thigh. Hence, the moment the horse 

 lifts his foot from the ground, the leg is instantaneously 

 snatched up by the power of the articulating ligaments. 



Treatment. — Restore the lost nervous influence; there- 

 by the muscles of the thigh are to be brought into healthy 

 action. This will best be done by good feeding, and one 

 grain of strychnia nux vomica given daily, for six 

 weeks in the horse's feed. 



Suppuration. — This signifies the secretion of pus, 

 and is one of the terminations of inflammation. 



Symjytoms. — Whenever suppuration is going on to any 

 extent in or on the body of ^he horse, a shivering fit, si- 

 milar to a chill, will or may be seen, folloiffed in a day or 

 so, either by a discharge of a yellow pus from the nose, 

 or the formation of an abscess on some portion of the 

 body. Suspect suppuration when rigors and shivering 

 occur, especially after accidents of whatever kind. 



Treatment. — First. Support the strength of the horse 



