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eniiiloyed. We are fully persuaded that but foi- the loss of the time 

 wasted in the treatment of purely imaginary ailments very many cases 

 of bone spavin might be arrested in their incipiency and their victims 

 preserved for years of comfort for themselves and valuable labor to 

 their owners. 



To consider a hypothetical case: An early discovery of lameness 

 has been made; that is, the existence of an acute inflammation — of 

 periostitis — has been detected. The increased temperature of the 

 parts has been observed, with the stiffened gait and the characteristic 

 pose of the limb, and the question is proposed for solution, "What is 

 to be done?" Even with only these comparatively doubtful symj)- 

 toms — doubtful with the non-expert — we should direct our treatment 

 to the hock in prefei'ence to any other joint, since of all the joints of 

 the hind leg it is this which is most liable to be attacked, a natural 

 result from its peculiarities of structure and function. And in ansAver 

 to the querj^ "What is the first indication?" we should answer res! — 

 emphatically, and as an essential condition, rest. Whether only 

 threatened, susi^ected, or i^ositively diseased, the animal must be 

 wholly released from labor, and it must be no partial or temporary 

 quiet of a few days. In all stages and conditions of the disease, 

 whether the sx)avin is nothing more than a simple exostosis, or 

 v/hether accompanied by the complication of arthritis, there must be 

 a total suspension of effort until the danger is over. Less than" a 

 month's quiet ought not to be thought of — the longer the better. 



Good results jway also be expected from local applications. The 

 various lotions which cool the parts, the astringents which lower the 

 tension of the blood vessels, the tejiid fomentations wliicli accelerate 

 tlie circulation in the engorged capillaries, the liniments of various 

 composition, the stimulants, the opiate anodjaies, the sedative prepa- 

 rations of aconite, the alterative frictions of iodine — all these are 

 recommended and prescribed by one or another. We prefer counter- 

 irritants, for the simple reason, among many others, that the}^ tend 

 by the pi^omptness of their action to prevent hy anticipation the for- 

 mation of the bony deposits. The lameness will often yield to the 

 blistering action of cantharides, in the form of ointment or liniment, 

 and to the alterative preparations of iodine or mercury. And if the 

 owner of a spavined horse really succeeds in removing the lameness, 

 he has accomplished all that he is justified in hoping for; beyond this 

 let him be well persuaded that a "cure" is impossible. 



For this reason, moreover, he Avill do Avell to be on his guard against 

 the patented "cures" which the traveling horse doctor may urge upon 

 his credulity, and withhold his faith from the circular of the agent 

 who Avill deluge him with references and certificates. It is possible 

 that nostrums may in some exceptional instances prove serviceable, 

 but the greater number of them are capable of producing only injuri- 

 ous effects. The removal of the bony tumor can not be accomplished 



