258 DISEASES OF BONE. 



TREATMENT. — It is impossible to cure a spavin, that is to say, 

 the affected part cannot be restored to its normal condition. All 

 that can be done is to hasten the completion of the inflammation, 

 and consequent removal of the lameness. 



In the very early stages of this lameness, with or without heat 

 and swelling at the site of spavin, endeavour to subdue the inflam- 

 mation before any structural change takes place ; the best means 

 being the administration of a dose of physic (aloes) ; the applica- 

 tion of warm fomentations ; and rest. If the lameness does not 

 yield to these simple means, the best thing to do is to fire the 

 centre of the enlargement with a pointed needle-shaped firing-iron, 

 which can be got from any veterinary instrument maker. It 

 should be about the thickness of a knitting-needle at the base, and 

 about an inch in length. It is best made of iron, as it requires to 

 be rigid, in order to perform its task properly. Iron-holders, with 

 a knob at the end to carry the needle, are the most convenient 

 instruments to use. The hair on the spavin should be shaved off, 

 the part well washed with carbolic soap and warm water, disinfected 

 with an antiseptic solution (p. 67), and dried, preferably with a 

 piece of antiseptic cotton-wool. As a rule, there will be no need to 

 cast the horse, which can be tied up, one of his fore legs suspended 

 from a surcingle, and a twitch put on him. When placing the iron 

 in the fire, the needle should be kept uppermost, so that it may 

 not be injured, and it should be brought to a white heat. Two 

 or three punctures well into the bone will be sufficient, and care 

 should be taken that neither the true hock joint nor any of the 

 sheaths of the tendons are punctured. A firing needle should be 

 heated each time before it is used, «o that its application may 

 cause neither infection nor putrefaction. After the punctures 

 are made, the part should be covered with an antiseptic (p. 67). 

 If necessary, the horse can be cast. He should be put in slings, 

 should remain in his box or stall for at least a month, and be 

 kept on green grass, or on hay and carrots. As the chief seat of 

 the disease is in the interior or the bone or bones, deep puncture 

 firing gives far better results than line firing or firing with a pear- 

 shaped iron (Fig. 99). Blistering and periosteotomy are rarely 

 of any use in spavin lameness. 



It is advisable before firing to rest the horse for a few days, and 

 cool him down with green food, and Epsom salts (p. 621). As the 

 principle of pimcture firing is to excite violent inflammation in 

 the part, so as to promote the bony union of the diseased surfaces ; 

 rest as complete as possible should be given after the operation, 

 until the completion of the desired union, which would be retarded 

 or altogether checked by movement. Hence the advisability of 

 using slings! 



