WEST OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 213 
Bog-spavin is essentially the result of synovitis, there being an 
increased amount of synovial fluid in the joint which causes the 
capsule to bulge on the inner and anterior part, that being the 
weakest. In some cases the inflammation of synovial membrane 
is acute and the fluid is soon absorbed, but more frequently it is 
of a subacute character. The balance between effusion and 
absorption being deranged, there is a chronic filling of the joint 
by synovia, which has a tendency to become more or less viscid 
in its nature, and consequently less easily absorbed. During 
the time the horse is working or being exercised the fluid 
becomes more or less absorbed, in some cases so much so that 
the disease mav not be noticeable until the horse has been 
«/ 
standing some time. 
Treatment .—In acute cases allow rest, purge, and bathe with 
cold water, after which, if necessary, apply extensively the tinc¬ 
ture of iodine. Tiring and setoning used to be much more often 
resorted to than at present in the treatment of bursal enlarge¬ 
ments. High-heel shoes ought never to be used in these cases, 
for if used for any length of time they are apt to produce a more 
serious disease than the original one, viz. contracted tendons. 
The late Mr. Duck, of Marlborough, told me some ten years 
since that he had for many years treated thoroughpin and bog- 
spavin by the application of a small quantity of sulphuric acid to 
the centre of the enlargement, thereby producing a slough of the 
skin, which was very effectual and did not leave much blemish. 
In the treatment of bursal enlargements a long rest is of great 
importance. In some rare instances hard tumours form at the 
seat of bog-spavin, and occasionally become ossified. On the 
table before you is one, two inches in diameter, which I dissected 
from the hock of a cob. The case did well, and but little 
blemish was left. 
In inflammation of joints the result of sprain or concussion 
there is often a great tendency to an adventitious growth of 
fibrous tissue, which subsequently becomes converted into a kind 
of cartilage, and by a further change into bone. Small bony 
tumours are occasionally found on the substances - of fibrous* 
tissue floating loosely in the stifle, also in the hock-joint. In 
severe injuries of joints, whether from concussion or blows, there 
is often more or less ostitis or periostitis, as frequently shown by 
the throwing out of ossific matter and by its depriving the 
articular cartilages of their proper nutriment, whereby they be¬ 
come ulcerated. Such results are frequently the effects of a kick, 
especially when near the stifle or some other joints, the symptoms 
of which for the first week or ten days may not to the inexpe¬ 
rienced appear to be serious, as the animal may be scarcely lame 
or suffer much pain until the bone becomes so much inflamed 
