BONE-SPAVIN. 
231 
BONE-SPAVIN. 
A FEW PRACTICAL REMARKS ON THIS VERY COMMON DISEASE. 
' • v i * t ’ 1 v ' v. 
By D. McEachran, F.R.C.V.S., Principal of Montreal Veterinary 
College. 
From time immemorial the different forms and degrees of exostosis 
resulting in anchylosis of one or more of the articulations forming the 
hock-joint have been constantly occurring; hence this disease has long 
been a subject of study for the members of the Veterinary profession 
and others interested in horses. Some apology, therefore, seems neces¬ 
sary for bringing the subject before the readers of 'the Review. My 
object in doing so is to correct a popular error, which exists almost 
universally, with regard to the seat of spavin and the parts involved, 
and, consequently, of the treatment adopted in the efforts directed 
toward effecting a cure of the disease. 
Turn to what author we may, we find them all agreeing with the 
definition of a spavin given by Professor Williams in his standard 
work on “ The Principles and Practice of Veterinary Surgery,” who 
says, “ A bone-spavin may be defined 'to be an exostosis on the inner 
and lower part of the hock, arising from inflammation of the cuniform 
and metatarsal bones terminating generally in anchylosis of one or more 
of the gliding joints of the hock.” Also, “ Bone-spavin is but very 
rarely formed on the outer side of the hock.” 
In the present paper it is not my intention to enter into the patho¬ 
logical anatomy, causes or symptoms of the diseased condition known 
by the term spavin. I refer the reader to the excellent work above 
quoted for information on these subjects. I wish merely to point out a 
few practical facts regarding the location of the disease and the treat¬ 
ment it suggests. 
Like all others for several years after commencing practice, I 
accepted the popular idea of a bone-spavin being confined to the antero- 
internal part of the hock-joint, and, consequently, in recommending or 
applying treatment was satisfied to counter-irritate that part only, either 
by a seton, the firing-iron, or blister, with, in almost every case, disap¬ 
pointment as to the result. Frequent dissection of diseased hocks soon 
convinced me that in very few cases, indeed, is the inflammation con¬ 
fined to the antero-internal part of the hock, but extends till not only 
“one or more,” but nearly if not all these articulations are involved in 
the ossification. 
