Sprains — Bog -spavin 239 
SPRAINS 
A sprain is an injury to a joint caused by violence, 
which produces more or less injury to the ligaments 
binding the bones together and the soft tissues of 
the joint. Sprains usually result from twisting or 
bending of the joint in an unusual direction. 
Severe lameness usually comes on suddenly soon 
after the injury. The joint becomes inflamed, swollen 
and tender, and is usually moved with much difficulty. 
The animal should be kept quiet. If there is severe 
pain, fomentations of hot water should be applied 
to soften, soothe and relax the part. When the in- 
flammation is severe and persistent, cold applications 
in the form of water or bags of ice are beneficial. 
After the inflammation subsides, if the lameness and 
swelling persist, Hniments well rubbed in or a light 
blister will hasten recovery. A part that has been 
severely sprained should have a long period of rest, 
as complete recovery from a sprain is very slow. 
BOG-SPAVIN 
Every true joint contains a lubricating liquid called 
*joint-oil” or synovial fluid. When for any cause this 
joint oil or synovial fluid is secreted in abnormal 
amounts, it causes the soft tissues around the joint 
to bulge outward. When this condition occurs on the 
hock-joint, it is called a “bog-spavin.” 
The first symptom is a puffy enlargement on the front 
of the hock-joint, toward the upper and inner part, due 
to a distension of the capsular ligament of the joint by 
