DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



169 



Natural Action. 



Effect of bad Spavin 

 Leg not brought 

 Forward. 



which are united, and 

 horses may be spavined 

 without any visible en- 

 largement. 



I can simplify all this 

 to gentlemen interes- 

 ted, by illustrating with 

 my specimens, the lo- 

 cation, nature, changes 

 of structure, &c., in 

 spavin, a large collec- 

 tion of which I carry 

 for the purpose. Sub- 

 limates, muriatic, sul- 

 phuric, and nitric acids form the basis of the different oint- 

 ments that are applied to remove this formidable disease. 

 They always make a bad sore, and blemish the animal for 

 life. 



The only reasonable treatment for bone spavin is counter 

 irritation and rest. If there is heat during the first few 

 days, apply cooling applications, such as an ounce of sugar 

 of lead to half a pail of ice water. Keep the leg wet for 

 about two weeks, when it may pass off. A dose of physic 

 should be given. If this stage has passed, repeated blister- 

 ing with a preparation of iodine or cantharides will be 

 necessary ; but much better would be the actual cautery in 

 an operator's hands. Clip the hair closely over a large 

 surface four or five inches above and below the enlarge- 

 ment, and then out to the middle of the back and fore- 

 parts of the leg. Any of the strong blisters recommended 

 for spavins, for which formulas are given below, are to be 

 used. If a blister, rub it in well with the hand for ten 

 minutes or more. In two days put on some grease. When 

 the inflammation goes down, wash with warm water and 

 castile soap, and when dry put on more blister, and so re- 

 peat, keeping up just as much irritation as you can without 

 destroying the hair. In the meantime, the horse must be 

 kept in a comfortable stall, for one of the conditions of cure 

 is rest. Keep up the inflammation in this way for four or 

 five weeks, after which give a run to grass. It is sometimes 

 necessary to blister lightly, if the lameness does not disap- 

 pear, in six or eight weeks, which may be repeated a few 

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