238 



Veterinary Elements. 



tive, the former by avoiding the use of spavined sires or 

 dams, by proper shoeing and avoidance of too heavy 

 loads; the curative consists in reducing the inflammation 

 by giving rest, warm fomentations, a high-heeled shoe, 

 and a blister (the red iodide of mercury), and if that 

 fails the firing iron and blister, which should be left to 

 the veterinarian. It is an unsoundness. In some cases 

 in which firing does not relieve, tibial neurectomy (cut- 

 ting of the nerve) or cunean tenotomy (cutting of the 

 tendon) of the parts should be performed by the surgeon. 

 Bog spavin is a condition in which the capsular liga- 

 ment of the hock joint is distended by joint oil (synovia), 

 appearing as a soft swelling on the inner sides of the 

 hock, just above the site of bone 

 spavin. This disease occurs in 

 two forms, (1) without any in- 

 flammation or lameness; (2) a 

 hard, painful swelling with ac- 

 companying lameness. The 

 causes are premature overwork, 

 defective conformation, due to 

 heredity, the swelling being soft 

 and cool, it may be due to over- 

 feeding, such as for show pur- 

 poses, in such cases cold water 

 compresses and a good hand rubbing for 20 to 30 minutes 

 before taking before the judges will often remove the 

 enlargement for a short time; treatment is usually 

 unsatisfactory, pressure by the use of a bog spavin and 

 thoroughpin truss being the best. 



■AVIS ANI) TTIOIM 

 1'IN TRI'S.S. 



