THE HORSE—THE EXTREMITIES. 155 
and externally, to reduce inflammation and prevent effusions from the joint, 
or any structural damage to the joint. Continue it as long as fever-symp- 
toms or local pains remain. After the second or third day the aconite will 
probably have reduced the active symptoms, leaving the swelling of the 
joints and slight lameness; in this case give bryonia. Bathe the affected 
joints three times a day, a half-hour each time, with warm water; then ap- 
ply to them, when they are dry, one-half ounce of arnica in six ounces of 
water, well rubbed in. It is said by good authority that veratrum viride 
is superior to this, applied with a brush five or six times a day to the joints. 
BOG SPAVIN AND THOROUGH-PIN. 
Bog Spavin is a soft, elastic swelling on the front of the interior part 
of the upper hock-joint, where the ligaments lie far apart. It is not at- 
tended with the acute inflammation which marks synovitis. It may be 
constitutional, but is usually caused by over-work in traveling or in the 
harness, especially in young horses, which causes friction of the joints and 
the effort of nature to supply relief from an increase of the joint-oil. 
Symptoms.—Enlargement on the front and inside of the hock, where 
there is naturally a depression, sometimes with stiffness, but seldom lame- 
ness; this is generally soft and elastic, but may 
be hard and inelastic in old and severe cases, in 
this case producing lameness. The vein pass- 
ing over the hock may be pressed by the swell- 
ing and thus distended with blood, in which 
case the disease is sometimes distinguished as 
Ma, 
Baer eae: blood spavin, and destruction of the vein has Footie 
been very unwisely recommended. . 
Thorough-Pin is an enlargement of the dack upper part of the hock, 
and results from long-continued or excessive exertion, especially on hard 
roads, and may be caused bya sprain. It generally co-exists with bog 
spavin, with similar symptoms, except that in thorough-pin the swelling 
may extend to both sides of the joint, and the inclosed fluid may be easily 
forced from one side to the other. 
TREATMENT.—In ordinary cases it is scarcely necessary or wise to at- 
tempt atreatment of what nature has done to obviate the ills of the friction,. 
as it may cause no marked inconvenience; but should it interfere with the 
proper action of the joint by growing large, and produce Jameness or in- 
flainmation of the synovial membrane, foment the joint three times a day with 
warm water; then arnica-lotion (one ounce of arnica ina pint of water) 
should be rubbed into the swelling three times a day. In about a week. 
Digitized by Microsoft® 
