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toe first touches the ground, and the heel descends more slowly, the mo- 

 tion of tlexiou at the hock taking place stiffly, and accompanied by a 

 dropping of the hip on the opposite side. In the other case the peculi- 

 arity is that the lameness increases as the horse travels ; that when he 

 stops he seeks to favor the lame leg, and when he resumes his work 

 soon after he steps much on his toe, as in the first variety. 



As with sidebones, though for a somewhat different reason, the di- 

 mensions of the spavin and the degree of the lameness do not seem to 

 bear any determinate relation, the most pronounced, symptoms at times 

 accompanying a very diminutive growth. But the distinction between 

 the two varieties of cool and. tcarm may easily be determined by remem- 

 bering the fact that in a majority of cases the first, or cool, is due to a 

 simple exostosis, while the second is generally connected with disease 

 of the articulation, such as ulceration of the articular surface — a con- 

 dition which, as we proceed further, will meet our attention when we 

 reach the subject of springhalt. 



Having thus fully considered the history of bone spavin we are pre- 

 pared to give due weight to the reasons which exist for the adverse 

 prognosis which we must usually feel compelled to pronounce when 

 encountering it in practice, as well as to realize the value of an early 

 discovery of the symptoms which denote its invasion of the organism. 

 It is but seldom, however, that the necessary advantage of this early 

 knowledge can be secured, and when the true nature of the trouble has 

 become apparent it is usually too late to resort to the remedial meas- 

 ures which, if duly forewarned, a skillful practitioner might have em- 

 ployed. We are fully persuaded that but for the loss of the time wasted 

 in the treatment of purely imaginary ailments very many cases of bone 

 spavin might be arrested in their incipiency and their victims preserved 

 for years of comfort for themselves and valuable labor to their owners. 



To consider a hypothetical case: An early discovery of lameness has 

 been madej that is, the existence of an acute intlammation — of perios- 

 titis — has been detected. The increased temperature of the parts has 

 been observed, with the stiffened gait and the chai\acteristic pose of the 

 limb, and the question is proposed for solution, "What is to be donel" 

 Even with only these comparatively doubtful symptoms — doubtful with 

 the non-expert — we should direct our treatment to the hock in prefer- 

 ence to any other joint, since of all the joints of the hind leg it is this 

 which is most liable to be attacked, a natural result from its peculiari- 

 ties of structure and function. And in answer to the query, ''What is 

 the first indication?" we should answer rest — emphatically, and as an 

 essential condition, rest. Whether only threatened, suspected, or posi- 

 tively diseased, the animal must be wholly released from labor, and it 

 must be no partial or temporary quiet of a few days. In all stages and 

 conditions of the disease, whether the spavin is nothing more than a 

 simple exostosis, or whether accompanied by the complication of ar" 

 thritis, there must be a total suspension of effort until the danger is 

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