LAMENESS, FRUM VARIOUS CAUSES 376 
freedum from sensibility and lameness, and a partial disappear- 
ance of the enlargement, or “eye-sore.” As the reader may like 
to refer to the opinion of some well-known author, as well as 
what J here advance, I select a quotation on the treatment of bone 
spavin from the pen of Mr. BLAINE: 
“This discase does not differ from splint, except that it is much 
eftener a cause of serious lameness. Occurring, however, as it 
commonly does, in older horses, it also proves more obstinate, and 
the treatment required, therefore, should be more active. A:ong 
the old farriers, who, like some of the moderns, thought nothing 
too strong for a horse, violent mechanical operations were resorted 
to, as the mallet and chisel to chip it off, boring the exostosis with 
a gimlct, punching it with a hot iron, or applying caustics. The 
first removing it mechanically, and the three latter methods de- 
stroying its vitality, promoted its exfoliation. As might be ex- 
pected, for one case which succeeded (and in some it certainly did 
suceced) in many it increased the lameness, or ended in anchy- 
losis and sometimes death. It is not improbable that instruments 
may yet be devised which will operate on these bony enlargements 
without risk, though the chances are fewer in the hock, from its 
connection with capsular and bursal ligaments, than in any other 
parts. 
Treatment.—The treatment pursued by veterinarians of the 
present day varies somewhat. Those bordering on the old school 
still rub with some violence, and then stimulate them with oil 
origanum, oil terebinth, etc. Those of a later day blister and fire, 
At the Veterinary College setons are used, by ripping up the in 
tegument and pushing a needle around, with tape through it, so 
that the seton within the skin exactly opposes itself to the spavin. 
Tf the skin is tender or tumefied, it is more proper to make au 
opening above and below the exostosis, and to push a blunt seton- 
needle or eyed probe from one opening to the other, armed with 
a tape smeared with mild blistering ointment, or common turpen- 
tine. In this way, report says, the College practice has proved 
very successful. Blistering we have, however, found, when re- 
peated over and over, commonly prove equal to all the benefit 
these obstinate cases can receive; for, when the bone deposit. is 
fully formed, it is in vain to expect its entire absorption. Even 
its partial absorption is frustrated. ‘he removal of acute Jame- 
ueas is generally the only benefit which can be anticipated. Our 
