DISEASES OF THE BOXES. 



m 



"cases ceases when the ossification is pompleted ; but there is always 

 a degree pf stiffness observable, and the lameness is apt to return if 

 the horse is much used on the road. 



Causes.— Short, upright pasterns predispose to them ; they are 

 most common in heavy' draught horses, used for teaming on the 

 road. Sometimes it arises from a tread from another horse, which 

 causes inflammation of those structures, which is followed by ossifi- 

 cation of the cartilage. 



Treatment. — The same principles must be observed in all these 

 cases. .Rest is most essential ; continued cold applications, by mak- 

 ing him stand up to the fetlocks in soft clay, 

 with cold water frequently applied, would be 

 the proper treatment until the acute stage has 

 passed, after which repeated blistering, or, if 

 thought necessary, firing would be advisable. 



Curb. 



This is a swelling upon the back part of the 

 hock about five or six inches from the point 

 (an illustration of which is given in Figs. 734, 

 736). If there is heat and tenderness, with more 

 or less lameness, use cooling applications. The 

 quickest way to reduce inflammation of this 

 kind is to direct a stream of cold water against 

 the part for ten or fifteen minutes, and repeat at 

 intervals. It would relieve considerably to raise 734 . 

 the heels of the shoe, and when the inflamma- 

 tion < subsides, blister repeatedly. If this do£s ndt*succeed, fire the 

 part. 



Curbs are not usually difficult to manage. I include a remedy 

 which is very effective in removing chronic enlargements of this 

 kind. It was first brought to my notice by being used upon one of 

 my baggage-horses during one of my campaigns" in Ohio, I pur- 

 chased th js horse cheap on account of his having a large curb, which, 

 though it did not cause lameness, blemished the leg badly. I no-' 

 ticed my manager, Dr. Williams, occasionally ' rubbing on some 

 medicine. It seemed to me like a Waste of time to attempt doing 

 anything for it, and so expressed myself. He said, "Wait, and I 

 will show you the effect." He simply applied the remedy two or 

 three times a week, and in two or three months, to my surprise, the 

 enlargement had almost entirely disappeared. Since then several 

 cases of morbid joint enlargement have been cured by applying this 



-A Well-defined Curb. 



