LAMENESS, FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 371 
or in defective flexible power of the hock-joint ; the other, the effect 
of acute inflammation of the spavined parts, or else of ulceration 
of the joints, consists in a sort of spasmodic catching up of the 
spavined limb the moment the heel of the foot comes down upon 
the ground, something after the manner of string-halt. Stiffness 
may not unfrequently be observed even in the horse’s side move- 
SPAVINED IN OFF HIND LEG—BINGBONE IN ALL THE PASTERNB. 
ment in his stall. With such characteristic lameness as this, and 
with spavin present as well, evidently hot and tender to pressure, 
there can exist no doubt about the case. Where, however, the 
lameness is but slight, although a spavin is present, yet, from the 
absence of any heat or tenderness in the swelling, as well as from 
its duration, many doubts arise as to the cause of the lameness, 
In such a case as this, we should take advantage of the well- 
known fact of the fluctuating or evanescent character of spavin 
lameness, to which end it is advisable to have the horse under 
examination hard ridden or driven, or otherwise exercised, until 
he be in a profuse sweat, and afterward kept standing tied up in 
a stall, until he be cold and stiff in his joints, and then trotted 
out again. A knowing vender of a spavined horse would take 
care to ‘ warm’ him by a good ride or drive before he teok him 
to show to the presumed purchaser; and then, while under exe 
