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Some little heat and a considerable amount of inflammation soon 

 appear. The slight lameness Avliich appears when backing out of 

 the stall ceases to be noticeable after a short distance of travel. 



A minute examination of the hock will then begin to reveal the 

 existence of the lesion, in a bony enlargement which may be detected 

 just at the junction of the hock and the cannon bone, on the inside 

 and a little in front, and tangible both to sight and touch. This 

 enlargement or hone spavin grows rapidly and persistently and soon 

 acquires dimensions which render it impossible to doubt any longer 

 its existence or its nature. Once established, its development con- 

 tinues under conditions of j)rogress similar to those to which we have 

 before alluded, in speaking of other like affections. The argument 

 obtained by some that because these bony deposits are frequently 

 found on both hocks they are not spavins, is fallacious. If they are 

 discovered on both hocks, it proves merely that they are not confined 

 to a single joint. 



The characteristic lameness of bone spavin, as it affects the motion 

 of the hock joint, presents two aspects. In one class of cases it is 

 most pronounced when the horse is cool, in the other when he is at 

 work. The first is characterized by the fact that when the animal 

 travels the toe first touches the ground, and the heel descends more 

 slowly, the motion of flexion at the hock taking place stiffly, and 

 accompanied b}' a dropping of the hip on the opposite side. In the 

 other case the peculiarity is that the lameness increases as the horse 

 travels; that when he stops he seeks to favor the lame leg, and Avhen 

 he resumes his work soon after he steps much on his toe, as in the 

 first variety. 



As with sidebones, though for a somewhat different reason, the 

 dimensions of the spavin and the degree of the lameness do not seem 

 to bear an}' determinate relation, the most pronounced symptoms at 

 times accompanying a very diminutive growth. But the distinction 

 between the two varieties of cool and warm may easilj' be determined 

 hy remembering the fact that in a majority of cases the first, or cool, 

 is due to a simple exostosis, wdiile the second is generally connected 

 v>'it]i disease of the articulation, sucli as ulceration of tlie articular 

 surface — a condition which, as we proceed further, will meet our 

 attention when wo reach the subject of springhalt. 



Having thus fully considered the historj^ of bone spavin Ave are 

 prepared to give due weight to the reasons which exist for the adverse 

 prognosis which Ave must usually feel compelled to pronounce Avhen 

 encountering it in practice, as Avell as to realize the value of an early 

 discoA'Cry of the symptoms which denote its invasion of the organism. 

 It is but seldom, hoAvever, that the necessary advantage of this early 

 knowledge can be secured, and A\dien the true nature of the trouble 

 has become apparent it is usually too late to resort to the remedial 

 measures Avhich, if duly forcAvarned, a skillful practitioner might have 



