THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 41? 



Causes. — Overwork, sprains, injuries either from punctured wounds, 

 fractui-es or bruises ; also from the effects of rheumatism. All produce 

 inflammation of the structures of the joint. 



How to know it. — In its acute early form there is a tense, puffy, fluctu- 

 ating swelling of the front and inside portion of the hock at the upper 

 or principal point just where usually there is a depression. There is also 

 a swelling behind, where thorough-pin occurs, but it can be pressed 

 forward, the anterior (front) swelling filling up ; but there is no swelling 

 below and behind the hock as in thorough-pin. 



What to do. — Absolute rest and the use of a high-heeled shoe. Con- 

 tinued pressure on the swollen parts, by means of a truss or compress, 

 with cold water applications, or brandy and salt. 



In case there is much inflammation reduce it by means of fomentations 

 of water, and if there is pain let the fomentations be an infusion of hops. 

 In the later stages use tincture of arnica diluted with water. If the case 

 is a bad one, when the extreme heat and tenderness has subsided a blister 

 may be applied, since it sometimes goes on to ulceration of the joint, and 

 even to bony deposit destroying all movement of the joint. See No. 160 

 and 161 for blisters. (Pages 423, 424.) 



m. Curb. 



This is a swelling in the middle of and just behind the lowest part of 

 the hock joint. At first it is soft and doughey, or retaining for a time the 

 shape of the pressure, producing an enlargement about two inches below 

 the hock. Curby hocks are also sometimes congenital and hereditary. 



Causes. — A blow, but more frequently a sprain of the tendon, or of 

 the sheath through which the flexor tendon passes. The ligament of the 

 hock when injured increases the gravity of the disease. 



How to know it. — There is heat, inflammation, tenderness, lameness, 

 and a tendency to knuckle forward at the fetlock. 



What to do. — Absolute rest, a high-heeled shoe, and cold water bandages 

 will generally remove the diflSculty if applied in the early stages of the 

 disease. If, from neglect, the lameness becomes decided, apply the 



following 



No. 150. 1 Ounce powdered bloodroot, 



1 Ounce turpentine, 

 4 Ounces acetic acid. 



Apply night and morning for a week or ten days and afterward batho 

 daily with vinegar 



