THE HORSE. 
87 
tendons, and between the tendons and other parts, are little bags con- 
taining a mucous substance to enable the tendons to slide over each 
other without friction, and to move easily on the neighboring parts. 
From violent exercise these vessels are liable to enlarge. Windgalls and 
thoroughpins are instances of this. There is one of them on the inside 
of the hock at its bending. This sometimes becomes considerably in- 
creased in size, and the enlargement is called a hog-spavin. A vein 
passes over the bag, -which is pressed between the enlargement and the 
skin, and the passage of the blood through it is impeded; the vein is 
consequently distended by the accumulated blood, and the distension 
reaches from this bag as low down as the next valve. This is called 
bloocl-spavin. Blood-spavin, then, is the consequence of bog-spavin. It 
very rarely occurs, and is, in the majority of instances, confounded with 
bog-spavin. 
Blood-spavin does not always cause lameness, except the horse is very 
hard-worked ; but this, as well as bog-spavin, constitutes unsoundness, 
and materially lessens the value of the horse. The proper treatment is, 
to endeavor to promote the absorption of the contents of the bag. This 
may be attempted by pressure long applied. A bandage may be con- 
trived to take in the whole of the hock, except its point ; and a com- 
press made of folded linen being placed on the bog-spavin, may confine 
the principal pressure to that part. It is, however, very difficult to adapt 
a bandage to a joint which admits of such extensive motion ; therefore 
most practitioners apply two or three successive blisters over the en- 
largement, when it usually disappears. Unfortunately, however, it re- 
turns if any extraordinary exertion is required from the horse. 
Strangles.* — This is a disease principally incident to young horses — 
usually appearing between the fourth and fifth year, and oftener in the 
spring than in any other part of the year. It is preceded by cough, 
and can at first scarcely be distinguished from common cough, except 
that there is more discharge from the nostril, of a yellowish color, 
mixed with pus, and generally without smell. There is likewise a con- 
siderable discharge of ropy fluid from the mouth, and greater swelling 
than usual under the throat. This swelling increases with uncertain 
rapidity, accompanied by some fever and disinclination to eat, partly 
arising from the fever, but more from the pain which the animal feels 
in the act of mastication. There is considerable thirst, but after a 
gulp or two the horse ceases to drink, yet is evidently desirous of con- 
tinuing his draught. In the attempt to swallow, and sometimes when 
not drinking, a convulsive cough comes on, which almost threatens to 
suflocate the animal — and thence, probably the name of the disease. 
The tumor is under the jaw, and about the center of the channel. It 
soon fills the whole of the space, and is evidently one uniform body, 
and may thus be distinguished from glanders, or the enlarged glands of 
catarrh. In a few days it becomes more prominent and soft, and evi- 
dently contains a fluid. This rapidly increases ; the tumor bursts, and a 
great quantity of pus is discharged. As soon as the tumor has broken 
the cough subsides, and the horse speedily mends, although some degree 
* Usually termed "Horse distemper " in the United States. 
