176 THE HORSE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



or both sides of the dorsal vertebrae at the withers in typical cases. 

 A surgical operation to allow the accumulated pus to escape, and to 

 remove thickened tissue and necrosed bone, is the only treatment 

 recommended for permanent relief. The operation should be 

 delayed until the acute symptoms of inflammation have subsided. 

 Caustic applications to destroy the diseased tissues should be used 

 only on the advice of the attending veterinarian. In most cases 

 success follows proper treatment, but only after several weeks. 

 If the animal has httle value, it will be well carefully to consider 

 the advisability of going to the expense in loss of time and the 

 feed required before it will be fit for return to service. 



SHOE BOIL 



Shoe boil develops at the point of the elbow as a soft, flabby 

 swelling. Chief among the causes of this disease is pressure from 

 the heel calk of the shoe. As a rule, it results in lameness only when 

 acute inflammation is present and when its size interferes with 

 movement. At best a shoe boil is unsatisfactory to treat. If dis- 

 covered while yet small, it may be prevented from further develop- 

 ment by daily applications of tincture of iodin and the use of the 

 shoe-boil boot or roll, which is designed to be strapped about the 

 pastern to keep the heel from pressing upon the elbow while the 

 horse is in the recumbent position. Large shoe boils are only 

 removable by the knife. As the skin is thin and tightly stretched 

 at the elbow when the joint is flexed, it is difficult to get the opera- 

 tion wound to heal. Mention may be made of the ligature as a 

 means of removal. It is passed around the neck of the swelling 

 and tightened each day until the circulation is stopped and the 

 whole mass undergoes necrosis and drops off. 



CAPPED HOCK 



Capped hock is a soft enlargement that develops at the point 

 of the hock. It may be hot and painful, but is usually not inflamed 

 and non-sensitive. A fluid of a serum-like nature will be found if 

 the enlargement is punctured. This is, however, seldom a wise 

 procedure, for most cases are amenable to simpler treatment, 

 besides the sac rapidly refills. Little relief follows the application 

 of a blister. Painting the enlargement each day with tincture of 

 iodin helps to diminish it. Many cases fail to absorb even with 

 skilful attention and the capped condition remains as an eyesore. 



