244 ENLARGED HOCK. 



to render it acute, instead of loss of substance, we 

 should have bone deposited ; and by means of this the 

 ulcerated surfaces would become united. Some por- 

 tion of the freedom of the joint would be lost; but the 

 pain would depart. The bones which before were 

 diseased, and at every step grated upon one another, 

 would grow together and form a solid body ; this is 

 that which we seek to bring about. 



On no account should the horse thus diseased be 

 turned to grass, where every bite necessitating a fresh 

 step, the infirmity must be aggravated, and the animal's 

 pain be rendered incessant. No; let the animal be 

 placed in the stall of a stable, where it may almost 

 stagnate. Rest is the best medicine ; but at the same 

 time the food must rather be increased than in any 

 way diminished. The hope is to promote general 

 fever, and thus end the ulcerative action. The hock 

 must be blistered constantly ; one-half of it being 

 always kept in a state of vesication ; thus the outer 

 side is first blistered; and when that seems to be 

 getting well the inside is blistered; after which the 

 outside is again attacked ; and so on for many months. 

 This is done merely to assist the osseous process, by 

 drawing blood toward the joint, and even tonics will be 

 of service. 



It may be half a year before any improvement is 

 seen ; and then a like period may elapse before the ani- 

 mal is put to work, or before it can be put to fast work. 



ENLARGED HOCK. 



Either from inflammation among the small bones 

 of the hock ; from debility threatening farcy ; or from 



