440 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



would }neld readily to treatment. The reason is, a feverish and unnealth^ 

 condition of the membrane secreting the synovial fluid is produced, and 

 the firm membrane affording no outlet, it settles into the spongy bone, 

 and a diseased condition ensues, which the weight and motion of the 

 animal intensifies until confirmed spavin is the result. AVhen only the 

 •plint bone is affected there is chance for recovery, but when the cube 

 bone is affected there is but little chance for relief until the disease has 

 run its course, and ended in a joint more or less stiff. 



How to know it. — Sprains do not invariably cause lameness. There 

 may be little or no local swelling as in occult spavin, as ulceration is 

 called, in the center of the joint between the flat bones. The swelling, 

 when it does exist, is in front and on the inside and on the lower part of 

 the joint, and may best be seen by standing about midway of the body 

 so as to get a side view of the front of the hock. "When the swelling is 

 in front of the hock it is most to be feared. It is hard and is to be dis- 

 tinguished from the tense but elastic swelling caused by sprain of the 

 flexor tendon, or from the flexible and fluctuating swelling of bog spa\in. 



The swelling of bone spavin may be more to the front or farther back 

 on the inside of the hock, or even shown principally on the outside, and 

 in case it extends to the true hock joint, it may end in bony formation to 

 such a degree as to close the articulation (play of the parts) and produce 

 a stiff joint. The animal if turned from side to side in the stall will 

 move stiff and on the toe. This same stiffness is also seen when the 

 animal first starts off, but which may nearly or quite disappear when the 

 animal becomes warm. The horse will sometimes jerk up the limb as 

 though he had string-halt. By turning him quickly in a small circle he 

 will carry the limb more or less stiff, or rest on the toe only. 



What to do. — In any case rest and a high heeled shoe should be allowed. 

 In the acute stage or early in the development of the disease, place the 

 horse in slings if possible. Foment thoroughly with hot water in which 

 an ounce of laudanum is mixed to each two quarts of water. Give four 

 dmchms of aloes if the bowels are costive, and give half an ounce to an 

 ounce of saltpeter in the water, morning and night, until a free flow of 

 urine is had. When the inflammation has subsided blister. The follow- 

 ing will be effectual : 



Ho. 179. 1 Part corrosire sublimate. 



12 Parts oil of turpentine, 



Mix thoroughly and rub in. Firing with a white hot iron is still more 

 effectual, yet the iron and the corrosive liniment are apt to leave a blemish. 

 A i:iilder preparation is : 



