240 The Diseases of Animals 
the synovial fluid. It is fairly common in young large- 
jointed colts, especially of the heavy draft breeds. It 
is usually caused by strains upon the joints, such as 
heavy pulling, or any overwork when the animal is 
too young. It rarely causes lameness; although when 
the bog-spavin is caused by a severe strain there may 
be lameness resulting from the injury. In colts, bog- 
spavins often disappear by the time they are three 
years old. 
The treatment is to cause the synovial fluid to be 
absorbed. This can usually be done by pressure and 
cold, applied to the outside of the joint by means of 
wet bandages. Before putting on the bandages, hand- 
rubbing the part will often cause much of the fluid to 
be absorbed. Tincture of iodine may be painted on 
the part, or iodine ointment rubbed in once daily. 
When the part begins to get sore this treatment should 
be withheld for a few days. A small amount of red 
blister rubbed over the spavin sometimes proves benefi- 
cial, but severe blisters should be avoided. <A spring 
truss is made, to be applied to the spavin for an hour 
or two twice daily. This truss, by exerting pressure, 
causes the fluid to be absorbed. Bog-spavins should 
never be opened with a knife. In cases of long stand- 
ing or in aged horses treatment is unsatisfactory. 
WIND- PUFFS 
A wind-puff is a condition similar to bog-spavin, 
except that it does not occur on a joint, but usually 
between tendons where small sacks, containing synovial 
