OTHER REMEDIES FOR SPAVIN. 
G7 
ner of reasoning on them, they all three but tend to the elucidation 
of the same pathology; which, though it has been given before, 
it may be useful to repeat here; — and that is, that what we call the 
“ cure” of spavin consists in the complete ossification of the dis- 
eased joints, and consequent perfect anchylosis or functional anni- 
hilation of them ; and that the remedy which brings about this final 
conversion of the morbid parts the soonest is the best, and that the 
cure cannot be manifested until such is accomplished ; the horse 
then, but not until then, going free from pain : the use of the main 
joint of the hock being left him entire wherewith to perform flexion 
and extension with sufficient freedom to constitute what in these 
“ cured” cases is regarded as working soundness. Should there- 
fore firing, either from not being “ deep enough,” or from insuf- 
ficient laying-by of the patient, fail to restore soundness, or, what 
amounts to the same thing, to bring about this desired or indis- 
pensable transformation of parts, a seton, by exciting inflammatory 
action afresh, may complete the process : on the other hand, what- 
ever seton, or blister, or other remedies, may fail from want of 
stimulant power to effect, is likely to be accomplished by the po- 
tent and paramount efficacy of the firing-iron. 
Blister. 
There appears to me more reason for making a comparison be- 
tween a seton and a blister, as remedies for spavin, than between 
a seton and the actual cautery ; and of the two former, for my own 
part, I give the preference to the seton. It is not at all times 
safe or politic to theorize on the action or effects of different reme- 
dies, since on occasions those prove of most avail which afford, in 
our preconceived opinion, the smallest promise ; though, most as- 
suredly, were I permitted to do so on the present occasion, I should 
say that a seton, from the enduring character of its operation, as 
well as from the amount of counter-inflammation it is frequently 
productive of — to say nothing of the unremitting issue arising from 
it — is a remedy better fitted for the relief of a chronic deep-seated 
disease, such as spavin, than a blister is ; seeing that a blister, 
though sharp enough and prompt enough in its operation at first, 
quickly degenerates into comparative inaction. It seems not so 
much to be the activity or severity of the counter-irritant as its 
enduring unremitting operation that proves so desirable; though, 
undoubtedly, the combination of both virtues in the same remedy 
will give it a high rank, a principle on which I would account for 
the superiority of firing for spavin. 
It is clearly of little or no use to apply a blister for a spavin 
unless that blister is a severe one ; and, therefore, I recommend 
that strong blistering ointment should be used for the purpose. 
