16 
OBSERVATIONS ON CURB. 
ness, and looks more like a school-boy’s guess than a master’s 
knowledge. 
I have always acknowledged my ignorance with respect to curb ; 
and to the frequent inquiries of my pupils have confessed my 
want of information. For the last two years I have endeavoured 
to procure a specimen which could decide the point. 
The knackers have been visited to no purpose. Professional 
friends have lent me their assistance to no effect. Common as 
curbs may be, it seemed impossible to procure a specimen of the 
disease for dissection. 
At length I have been so fortunate as to obtain what I desired. 
An aged mare was placed under the care of Mr. Dunsford for treat- 
ment. The animal was suffering from farcy, which, not yielding to 
the most energetic measures, that gentleman advised the mare to be 
destroyed. The hocks were conspicuously curby, and Mr. Duns- 
ford, knowing my eagerness to possess a leg in this condition, was 
kind enough to have one forwarded to me for inspection. 
I divided the skin in front of the astragalus, and carefully re- 
flected it, so as to expose the structures towards which my attention 
was specially directed without injuring or disturbing them. All 
were healthy. One by one the parts were removed and examined, 
and nothing particular could be detected save only in the perforans 
tendon. This last was perceptibly enlarged at a place answering 
to the seat of curb. It shewed some indications of an inflammatory 
condition. I cut into it, and from the incision pressure caused to 
exude a thick dark-coloured pus, of the consistency of cream cheese. 
Division of the tendon exhibited numerous vascular points, and 
between the fibres could be easily recognised deposits of white 
lymph. 
Such was all I could remark; and the result did not answer to 
my expectations. I anticipated that the disease would have been 
more superficially located, and I was dubious whether much that 
was present ought not to be attributed to the disorder under which 
the animal was labouring at the period of its death. On reflection, 
however, aided by further examination of the part, I concluded that 
the effects presented were not the result of farcy. The tendons 
are slowly involved, being lowly organized. They are long before 
they suppurate, and tardy in their attempts at reparation. The 
inspissated condition of the pus shewed it was no recent produc- 
tion, and fibrinous deposit indicated that the injury was not of very 
modern date. The animal exhibited the curb well developed ; and 
what I saw, on consideration, I decided to be the ravage of that 
disease. Nevertheless, a specimen nearer to the acute stage, and 
disconnected from any possible suspicion, had been more satisfac- 
tory. It may be that some of your readers may have the power 
