DISEASES OF THE BONES AND JOINTS 299 



will fill again in a short time. Tincture of iodin, applied exter- 

 nally, helps to absorb the fluid. Old cases do not respond to 

 treatment at all satisfactorily. 



Thoroughpin is found associated with bog spavin. If the latter 

 is not large, little or no evidence of a thoroughpin will be evident. 

 When the joint capsule that encloses the main articulation of the 

 hock is greatly distended with synovial fluid, a well-marked soft 

 swelling appears on the outside of the hock. By palpating the 

 swelling the fluid can be felt to fluctuate if the other hand is 

 placed over the center of the bog in front of the hock. As in 

 bog spavin, the serous fluid may accumulate very rapidly — in 

 some cases within twenty-four hours. Not often does it disap- 

 pear spontaneously. Unfortunately, no reliable method of treat' 

 ment is known. The application of pressure and of massage has 

 been followed by success in some cases, so should be tried before 

 more heroic measures are attempted. When the thoroughpin 

 does not cause lameness, it is often classed as a blemish instead 

 of an unsoundness. 



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