AND HIS DISEASES. 29 



are easily removed. Eest must he given, and firm but even 

 pressure applied by pads and bandages, witli cold water 

 frequently applied. 



When it has been too long neglected, or the case is com- 

 plicated, blistering may be necessary. The biniodide of mer- 

 cury ointment may be rubbed well in several times, or a 

 cantharidine blister may do as well ; but bandaging should 

 be fairly tried before giving it up. Some writers of high 

 standing recommend (in cases where these fail to remove it) 

 to "puncture the cyst, and heal it with a compress bandage." 

 This, however, to a non-professional is very dangerous prac- 

 tice, as in most cases where it is advised, the joint itself is 

 implicated, and violent inflammation often ensues, which is 

 accompanied by so much irritative fever as to speedily de- 

 stroy the animal. Some fire these obstinate cases ; but, un- 

 less, accompanied by lameness, such severe measures are 

 altogether unnecessary. ' 



Simple wind-gall is hot unsoundness, but that form of 

 complicated wind-gall in which we have the tendon or the 

 joint diseased is undoubtedly unsoundness ; but we must be 

 very careful in giving an opinion in these cases. 



BOG-SPAVIN AND THOEOUGH-PIN. 



All joints having capsular ligaments and synovial mem- 

 branes, particularly if from their situation they are much 

 exposed to severe exertion, are liable to the same conditions 

 as observed in wind-galls ; and the hock being the joint on 

 which most stress is thrown, is more liable than any other. 

 Accordingly, we find synovial enlargements are very/common 

 here. Bog-spavin is therefore distension of the capsu- 

 lar ligaments of the hock, from increased secretion of 

 synovia. When it bulges out behind on each side of the 

 05 calcis, it is called tliorough-pin. This term is also given 



