ACTION OF TREATMENT FOR SPAVIN. 
731 
this, is certainly too extreme a view, for every busy practitioner must 
know of many horses which, after treatment, have perfectly recovered 
their usefulness. The nature of the pathological changes renders cure 
only relative, for the articular surface never recovers its normal 
condition, and well-developed spavin lameness only disappears after 
anchylosis of the joint. But that it does so disappear is readily proved 
by post-mortem examination. Very often the lower joints of one or other, 
not infrequently of both, hocks are found completely united in animals 
which moved perfectly sound before death. Practically speaking, all 
modes of treatment aim at producing such an union. 
This union requires, firstly, prolonged and perfect rest, i.e., stoppage 
of all work, and, as far as possible, of movement. Whatever the nature of 
the other treatment, this rest is essential, and must be continued for four 
to eight weeks. 
Various auxiliary measures of treatment have been proposed and 
employed, but they all agree, on the one hand, in procuring rest of the 
joint, and, on the other, in evoking, in the neighbourhood of the dis¬ 
eased spot, an acute inflammation, which favours adhesion of the bones. 
The views as to their method of action, and the nature of the curative 
process, vary widely. Some consider that inflammation is diverted from 
the joint—an idea which, however, is out of harmony with the views held 
of such processes at the present day. The same is true of the suggestion 
that the artificially induced acute inflammation may terminate the 
changes proceeding in the articular surfaces. This is only true in the 
sense that it may induce union between the bones ; it cannot remove the 
chronic arthritis. In opposition to the above view, it has been pointed 
out that, in man, arthritis chronica deformans shows no tendency to the 
formation of stiff joints ; but the objection leaves out of consideration the 
fact that, in man, the joints affected (hip-joint, &c.) are incapable of 
anchylosis; the same applies to the stifle-joint of the horse (see “ Chronic 
Inflammation of the Stifle-joint”). Recovery entirely depends on union 
between the articular surfaces of the cuneiform bones, or between these 
and the metatarsus. Union may be assisted by— 
(1) Blisters. The action of blisters is usually too superficial. To exert 
much influence on adhesive processes, energetic, deep-seated inflammation 
must be excited, and concentrated sublimate solution, arsenic, euphorbium, 
croton oil, &c., are therefore more successful than cantharides blisters, 
though they are very liable to produce permanent blemishes ; good results 
following the application of cantharides are usually due either to the rest 
given, or to the case not being spavin. The success obtained in the army 
by blisters may be similarly explained. To satisfy the owner Moller has 
often tried blisters, but seldom with good results. They may possibly be 
more active when subcutaneously employed, as recommended by Bucli 
