bones: diseases and accidents. 291 



loss of flesh. In the most advanced stage the animal will step with 

 difficulty, frequently holding the foot from the ground, or, if forced 

 to take a few steps, stands with it elevated, twitching with pain. In 

 the earlier stages of the disease only a small portion of the fore part 

 of the lower, or second, articulation is involved, but the inflammatory 

 process gradually extends over the whole surface of the lower joints 

 of the hock. The structures of the joint are broken down and the 

 bones are united (anchylosis). This process may include any or all 

 of the three lower joints of the hock. The joint of motion which is 

 situated on the lower end of the leg bone is seldom involved. 



Treatment. — Treatment of spavin in the ox, as in the horse, is 

 likely to be tedious, and not always resulting in perfect cure. Usu- 

 ally it is best to fatten the animal for slaughter. If, however, treat- 

 ment is decided upon, it should consist of complete rest and counter- 

 irritation of the part either by sharp blisters or the firing iron. It 

 is advisable to try the effect of blistering first, and for this purpose 

 the following mixture is recommended : 



Powdered cantharides drams__ 3 



Biulodid of mercury do 2 



Vaseline i ounces \\ 



Clip the hair off and apply over the inner and fore part of the joint, 

 covering the surface an inch and a half in every direction from the 

 enlargement, or over an area 3 to 4 inches across. Fasten the ani- 

 niaFs head so that it can not reach the pait to lick it ; after the third 

 day grease with lard every other day until the scabs come off. This 

 blister may be repeated three or four times at inter\'als of three 

 weeks. The lameness will generally begin to disappear about the 

 third or fourth month if the above treatment proves beneficial. 

 Should lameness persist, firing in points by a qualified veterinarian 

 may effect the desired result and should be tried as a last resort. 



In a case of spavin the cure is not effected by restoring the diseased 

 parts to their natural condition, but by uniting the bones and obliter- 

 ating the joints. If this union extends over the whole articular sur- 

 face of the joints affected and is sufficiently strong to prevent any 

 motion of the bones, the animal will again go sound. The joints 

 that are obliterated, not being those of motion, are not important, so 

 that the animal suffers no inconvenience in their loss. 



rheumatism. 



Rheumatism is a constitutional disease due to a specific condition 

 of the blood and characterized by inflammation of the fibrous struc- 

 tures of the body. It is usually accompanied by stiffness, lameness, 

 and fever. The parts affected are usually swollen, but swelling may 

 be lacking. The inflammation may be transitory ; that is, it changes 



