DISEASES OF THE BONES. 



429 



forming a tumor between the calcis and thigh bone. It is simply a 

 rupture of the synovial membrane, allowing the synovia to escape. 

 By pressing upon one side, the swelling is pushed through to {he 

 other side ; and sometimes there is connection with the swelling in 

 front. These enlargements rarely cause lameness, though some- 

 times they may cause inflammation of the parts involved. 



There is no satisfactory treatment for these difficulties. One of 

 the best remedies'during 

 the acute stage is to rub 

 on soft soap and salt. 

 Rub on the part thor- 

 oughly at night and 

 wash off in the morning, 

 for two or three times. 

 This will sometimes 

 , work wonderfully well. 

 Have used it repeatedly 

 with the best success. 

 This remedy will Work 

 well on acute cases,' but 

 its effect is not satis- 

 factory upon old, con- 

 firmed cases ; for if the 



enlargement is brought down, sharp driving 

 or straining of the parts will usually bring back the trouble. 

 Blistering sharply is the treatment usually pursued. If this fails, 

 firing is the last resort. There is no difficulty in bringing down an 

 enlargement of an ordinary bog spavin . by blistering, but as soon 

 as the horse is put to work or strained in , the least, it is liable 

 to come back again. 



I consider trusses and all that sort ©fthing' of no 

 special account in- this difficulty. I have been told 

 repeatedly of parties who punctured these enlarge- 

 ments to allow the secretions to run out, that in 

 each case so much inflammation was excited in the 

 joint as to cause the loss of the horse. 



Blood spavin is supposed to be caused by a dis- 

 tension of the large vein which passes through the 

 integuments involved in bog spavin. I do not 

 know any ( distinction between them worthy of mention, especially 

 as there is no treatment given other than that named. 



Fie. 737.— Bog or Blood 



Fig. 788.— Thorough-pin. 



Fig. 



739.— Capped 

 Hock. 



