i6i 



joint oil become red and vascular, and unduly active, and' 

 the fluid thus poured into the capsular ligament of the joint 

 sometimes presses upon a vein (the saphena major), which 

 becomes enlarged, and thus gives rise to the old title of 

 Blood-spavin, still occasionally applied to the disease. It 

 occurs in weakly, rapidly growing animals, sometimes with- 

 out any apparent cause, but more commonly in those that 

 have been put too early to work beyond their strength. 



Treatment. — Suspension of work, gentle exercise, ban- 

 dages kept cool and wet, occasional friction, with a laxative 

 diet and a little nitre, should first be tried, and if un- 

 successful, superseded by blisters, or in extreme cases, by 

 firing. In old hard-worked animals, especially cart horses 

 and hunters, bog spavin is more intractable, the supply of 

 synovia is insufficient, and, from want of the natural lubri- 

 cant, the fringes become irritated and inflamed. Similar 

 treatment must be pursued, but firing and several months' 

 rest are most serviceable. 



