THOROUGH-PIN. 319 
the hock; it lies upon the most inward and forward portion of that part. 
The increase of the contents causes the membrane to bulge out after the 
manner represented in the wood-cut on page 318. 
It is produced by repeated shocks to the limb, and in this respect 
resembles wind-galls; though situated in a different locality, it is also 
liable to the same changes. In short, the affections are the same, and 
are dissimilar only with regard to their relative situation. 
Bog spavin is thought slightly of by professed horsemen; however, 
the reader must ask himself, if it be viewed as no deterioration, can it 
be also regarded as a recommendation? Is a blemished leg, or a limb 
with disease, which is liable to assume an aggravated type, properly 
considered a sound member? The writer thinks not. Bog spavin does 
not, in its ordinary stage, lame the horse; but can such an unnatural 
enlargement add to the pleasure of the animal’s existence? Were pain 
in man judged of entirely as it affected the walk of the human being, the 
disorders of how many people would the doctor esteem of little conse- 
quence! Such a standard of agony is ridiculous. It is most difficult 
to say when no anguish is felt by the life which is denied the faculty of 
announcing its sensations through the medium of speech. 
THOROUGH-PIN. 
This disease is so called, because in some cases it pierces right through 
the thinnest part of the hind leg, or appears on either side immediately 
before the point of the hock. It, however, is often 
single. It is rarely present without bog spavin; and 
in every instance which the author has examined, it 
communicated with the large synovial articulation of 
the joint. 
It is provoked by the same causes as generate bog 
spavin; it is similar to that disorder in not being 
generally accompanied by lameness, and in being liable 
to the same fearful changes. Pressure and rest are the 
best remedies; pressure, applied after the manner recommended for 
wind-galls, may in some cases answer. The bog spavin and the 
thorough-pin, however, should not in every case be treated at the same 
time; as a general rule, it is prudent only to attack one affection by 
means of an India-rubber bandage. This should be so cut as to release 
the bog spavin from all pressure; and where the slightest uneasiness is 
evinced, all bandages should be instantly removed, while the corks and 
cloths—employed as for wind-galls—are taken off the thorough-pin. 
It is never well to attempt to cure the bog spavin first; the treatment 
