178 



VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



an abnormal prominence of particnlar bones in both hocks which, if 

 exactly similar, must be regarded as natural. 



The examiner should first stand in front and view the hock, as seen 

 by looking between the fore-legs. Any enlargement on the inside, 

 especially on the anterior part, will be well seen from this point. Next 

 he should shift his position a few jiaces to the side, so as to catch a 

 somewhat side-view of the inner front of the structure. In this position 

 any enlargement in front will be easily detected. He should next view 

 the hock from behind, looking between the legs. Any enlargement on 

 the posterior part of the inner side will then be apparent. Lastly, he 



Fig. 85. 

 Showing seat of boue-spavin, a shallow grove being left in the bony deposit for the passage of 

 the oblique tendon of the flexor metatarsi, under which the spavin is situated. 



should move about a couple of paces to the side, and he will notice any 

 undue angularity about the interior edge of the hock. 



No enlargement, however, although situated at the precise location of 

 this disease, can safely be said to be spavin, until by manipulation it has 

 been ascertained to be bone. Without such manipulation, other enlarge- 

 ments, such as a distended vein or a thickening of the integuments re- 

 sulting from a blow, may be mistaken for spavin. 



