BONE-SPAVIN. 241 



more than their share of the burden. It has been 

 shown that this was the case in the fore leg, and that 

 in consequence of it the horse was subject to splint. 

 In the same manner the smaller bones of the hock on 

 the inner side, together with the ligaments which unite 

 them, become inflamed ; in consequence of this in- 

 flammation the ligaments become ossified, and there 

 results the bony tumour on the inside of the hock 

 which is denominated spavin. 



This is always a source of pain and lameness at its 

 first formation ; but the continuance of the lameness 

 depends on the progress of this bony growth, and its 

 interfering with the action of the tendons. If it is 

 found principally below, and does not spread towards 

 the front of the joint, the bony tumour may acquire 

 a very large size, and not produce lameness. The 

 continuance of this exemption from lameness, how- 

 ever, will be very uncertain : for no one can tell, when 

 this habit of throwing out bony matter is once 

 established, what direction it will take, or what mis- 

 chief it will effect. 



No treatment however can be hoped to cure bone- 

 spavin. The joint which nature has locked up, no 

 drug can be expected to set free. This fact being 

 perceived, the attempt is to limit and confirm the ab- 

 normal deposit. For this purpose, after the inflamma- 

 tion has been abated, a little of the iodide of lead oint- 

 ment, one drachm to the ounce of lard, should be well 

 rubbed into the enlargement thrice daily. 



A singular, and yet sometimes an effectual way of 

 relieving, and of frequently removing the lameness of 

 spavin, is putting the horse to the plough. The slow 



M 



