SPKUNa HOCK. 



57 



which may be done in horizontal lines, or by puncture. The plan 

 of fomenting the part, giving a dose of physic, which would be 

 advisable in most cases, and api>lying a blister when the local heat 

 has disajDpeared, entails far greater loss of time than the other, 

 and as a rule is not so effective. 



LEGAL ASPECT OF CURB.— Legally, a curb is an unsound- 

 ness whether or not it causes lameness. A horse with a curb may 

 be passed as practically sound, if the presence of the curb does not 

 affect his action. As great strain is put on the hocks when jumping, 



Fig. 30. — Flat foot (curb) of man. (From an article on 

 "The Surgery of Deformities," by H. H. Chitton, 

 M.B., F.R.C.S., in Treves' "A System of 

 Surgery." Cassell & Co., Limited.) 



I have a strong prejudice against curbs in hunters. i\-t the same 

 time, the fact remains that many good hunters and steeplechase 

 horses have curbs which do not impair their jumping or galloping 

 powers in the slightest degree. 



Sprung Hock 



is a condition in which there is a severe si^rain of this joint, accom- 

 panied by extreme lameness, and great swelling both above and 

 below the inner and back aspect of the hock. The back tendon 

 (the perforans) which passes over the os calcis (Fig. 98, p. 257) 

 may also be si:)rained in this injury. 



I have seen a few cases of slight sprain of the ligaments of the 

 hock which were characterised by heat at the front part of the joint. 



