424 
SPAVIN. 
appeared all that was required for the easement of the lameness. 
Impressed with these notions, and sanguine in so simple a method 
of cure, Mr. Sewell, in the year 1835, made known to the pro- 
fession, his “ New Operation for Curing Lameness in the Horse, 
generally caused by Contusions which occasion Periosteal and 
Ossific Diseases,” in a printed circular, from which I take this 
introductory sentence, and am now about to make some further 
extracts*. Condemning “ the old practice of firing, applying 
caustics, puncturing, bruising, blistering, or other stimulants,” as 
inefficacious, Mr. Sewell (in the circular) informs us that he had 
“ for several years employed setons beneficially “ but now,” he 
adds, “ I invariably adopt the new plan.” “ In chronic cases, 
previous preparation is seldom necessary, beyond keeping the 
parts for a short time wet with cold water ; but when the inflam- 
mation is acute, attended with swelling, and a tense adhesion 
of the skin, these symptoms should be first allayed by topical 
bleeding, fomentations, poultices, and the administration of a 
purgative, until the skin is relaxed. ” — •“ Commence the operation 
by taking up the skin between the finger and thumb of the left 
hand, and make an orifice with a knife, lancet, or with scissors, 
sufficiently large to admit the probe-pointed periosteotomy knife, 
which pass under the skin the whole length of the ossifica- 
tion. Then withdraw it, cutting through the thickened perios- 
teum, down to the bone.” — “ If the disease or lameness be of long 
standing, a small tape or thread seton may be inserted, and kept 
in a few days.” — “ The operation is very easily performed, in from 
one to three minutes ; but I consider it necessary only when there 
exists actual lameness. This, in the majority of cases, is imme- 
diately removed. A slight inflammation and swelling supervene 
the next day. The part may be fomented, and moderate exercise 
given, and generally in about ten days or a fortnight the animal 
is fit for work. The enlargement considerably subsides, and in 
some cases becomes quite absorbed.” 
Although Mr. Sewell has not mentioned spavin as curable or 
relievable by periosteotomy, yet it is sufficiently evident that 
when spavin consists purely in exostosis — as in the form of low 
spavin or hind splent is the case — it is as susceptible of benefit 
from such an operation as any other exostosis ; and, by way of 
proof, I may mention I have known lameness arising from -spavin 
of this description removed in this way. 
There can be no possible objection to an operation so simple, 
* A copy of the circular, I believe, was sent to every member of the pro- 
fession. It being, however, now eleven years since, it is possible many may 
have lost or mislaid their letters ; and therefore it is that I make my ex- 
tracts full and sufficient in this place. 
