HOCK LAMENESS AND FRACTURE OF THE TIBIA. 371 
is perfectly gratuitous and groundless. Individual instances of 
blunderers and blundering can, of course, be always adduced ; but 
the like appertains to every profession and calling. Miracle- workers 
we are not: all I contend for is, to allow us a fair field for the dis- 
play of our skill ; and it will soon become an important fact, that 
we are equal to more than frequently we have now the chance to 
accomplish, and to all that could rationally be expected from the 
practisers of the veterinary art. 
I am, Mr. Editor, 
Your most obedient servant. 
June 14, 1848. 
CASE OF HOCK LAMENESS AND FRACTURE OF 
THE TIBIA. 
By J. Broad, M.R.C.V.S., Market-street , Paddington. 
In The Veterinarian for the last month is recorded a very 
interesting and singular case of elbow-joint lameness, by the worthy 
Editor of that Journal, the reading of which brought to memory a 
somewhat singular case of hock lameness that very recently oc- 
curred under my own observation. Its history may not be without 
a share of interest to the readers of so valuable a work. 
On the 24th of May last I was requested to examine an aged 
brown mare, belonging to Mr. E , Paddington, which was re- 
ported to have been going “ stiff behind,” as the phrase goes, for 
some considerable time ; but, as it passed off after she had gone a 
short distance, no further notice was taken of it. Eventually, 
however, the lameness increased to that degree that she was 
scarcely able to perform her work. Upon having her led out of 
the stable, I could easily perceive that the off limb was the one 
principally affected. So lame was she on it, that she would scarcely 
touch the ground with it when made to move. I was informed 
that the reverse had been the case for nearly a week previously, 
viz. that the near had exhibited all the symptoms now present in 
the off. As to the hocks being the seat of the disease, there did not 
remain a doubt ; since, although no enlargement could be detected 
in the off hock, yet a small bony enlargement in the seat of spavin 
was present in the near, and considerable heat existed in both. 
Treatment. — She was removed to a loose box, prepared for 
a full dose of physic, and the antiphlogistic plan was adopted 
for several days, with, however, but slight effect. On the 29th 
the owner wished to have her fired. She was, consequently, cast 
the following day, and the operation performed on both hocks, after 
