156 SPLINl^ 



the subject, and who is desirous of becoming- more 

 fully acquainted with the formation of the hock, to 

 take the first opportunity afforded him of studying 

 the several bones by the aid of some good anatomical 

 specimen. Such knowledge will prove valuable to 

 him, and very materially assist him in his judgment of 

 horses which may be either spavined or show signs of 

 becoming so. 



In the earlier stages of the disease blistering will 

 generally effect a cure, always provided that a sufficient 

 period of rest is subsequently allowed. Later on, 

 however, it becomes necessary to have recourse to 

 firing, nor is that operation invariably successful as 

 a cure. 



There are cases of spavin which are not easily 

 detected, being invisible ; and such cases may be 

 reckoned as being the worst, inasmuch as, being deep- 

 seated, they are the more difficult to treat. 



Spavined horses are incapable of doing fast or 

 severe work in saddle, but use may be made of them 

 for light harness-work or for agricultural purposes. 



Splint is caused by concussion, which induces in- 

 flammation, and in like manner, as is the case in 

 spavin, causes the formation of bony deposit. While 

 spavin is a disease which occurs in the hind leg, splint 

 almost invariably confines itself to the bones of the 

 fore, and, like spavin, during its formation causes 

 lameness ; though such lameness is by no means 

 necessarily permanent, being often due to the undue 

 distension of the periosteum, or the membrane which 

 covers the bone. Where, however, any implication of 

 the splint bones occurs, or where the splint is so placed 

 as to interfere with the action of the bone, it becomes 



