CURB. 
127 
action of these joints, the inflammation and the bony secre¬ 
tion rapidly spread. The pasterns, in the first instance, 
become connected together by this bony process, which 
supplants the ligaments, and then the joints become im¬ 
movably fixed, or what is technically termed anchylosed. 
From this joint the disease is carried to the cartilages of the 
foot, and to the union between the lower pastern, as well as 
to the coffin and navicular bones, which either impedes or 
totally destroys all action in these parts, and this part of 
the foot becomes an entire mass of spongy bone. 
OSSIFICATION OF THE BACK SINEW. 
Ossification of the back sinew is very easily distinguished. 
When a healthy sinew is pressed upon with the thumb and 
two first fingers, from above downwards, it feels like a very 
tense cord, yielding slightly under the pressure, but spring¬ 
ing back to its natural position the moment that pressure is 
removed. When the sinew is ossified, it is divested of that 
elasticity so obvious to the touch of even the most inexperi¬ 
enced. It is true that in its incipient state it is not so 
readily discovered, as its bony texture has not been fully 
formed, although an expert veterinary surgeon will be able 
to detect it soon after it has begun to form. In the earlier 
stages of ossification of the back sinew, no lameness takes 
place, but it is certain to render the horse lame eventually, 
and that, too, for the remainder of his life. There is no 
remedy for this infirmity. 
CURB. 
This is a swelling below the hock, caused by hard work 
and by the animal being overloaded; and sometimes occa¬ 
sions lameness. It is most common in cat-hammed, high¬ 
bred horses, especially when young ; and is caused by leaping 
