ON BONY DISEASES OF THE IIOCK. 
429 
ulceration and caries, is intelligible ; that the Inner hock disease 
should change from caries to a bony swelling when it reaches the 
outside of the hock is not probable. Various arguments will occur 
to the surgeon tending to prove these two diseases to be distinct; 
the one, viz. spavin, commencing externally ; the inner hock disease 
commencing internally. The ordinary account of spavin lame- 
ness, namely, mere stiffness at first, and that going off in action, 
and this lasting for years, consists entirely with the above theory 
of spavin ; but it is utterly inconsistent with a disease com- 
mencing internally and consisting in inflammation of the synovial 
membrane, when it would seem there must be lameness. 
Blaine commences his chapter on spavin with some remarks 
on the proceedings of veterinary professors, well worthy of their 
attention, 1841 edition. 
The history of this subject shews curiously the use which 
veterinary writers make of their own and their fellows’ dis- 
coveries. In the year 1830 (see pp. 302-3), Goodwin promul- 
gates his “ altogether different ideas of spavin from past and 
present authors,” and, in fact, demonstrates a different disease. 
Shortly afterwards (see Blaine, p. 474), Youatt shews that 
Goodwin’s discovery is that of a different disease, requiring a 
different name from spavin. Blaine, in 1841, though approving 
of Youatt’s suggestions, continues the old confusion. Youatt, in 
1843, forgets his own views of Goodwin’s discoveries, lumps all 
the diseases under the head spavin, and even adheres to Cole- 
man’s now-exploded notions. In 1846, Percivall adheres to old 
names and terms whilst absolutely demonstrating distinct classes 
of disease, and so palpably as to strike the eye of an unprofessional 
reader. 
Surely this ought not to be. In the progress of science every 
discovery is a step in advance, giving vantage-ground, from which 
steps forward should be made. In fifteen years Goodwin and 
Youatt’s notions ought to have been displaced or to have obtained 
the position of fixed principles. 
The object of the writer of this is to place clearly before the eyes 
of the profession the problems requiring solution. If truth be 
obtained, even by the disproof of all his own notions, he will have 
done good. The importance of practitioners keeping an eye on 
spavined horses going sound, with a view to dissection, is not suf- 
ficiently kept in mind. Studs of hunters furnish frequent instances, 
and sportsmen would give facilities. Such dissections would 
throw light on this interesting but not well understood subject. 
3 
N 
VOL. XIX. 
