Farm And Garden

One of the most serious diseases of the hoek is spavin, of whioh there are several varieties, known as bog spavin, bone epavin and occult spavin. Tho latter is bo narned because there is no perceptible enlargement on or about the hoek. A bone spavin is a swelling or bony tumor situated upon the lower and inner part of the hoek joint, as shown by Fig. 1 in the first cut. Fig. 2 represents the inner side of the bono of the hoek afflictod with a spavin of long standing. The rongh portion represents the osseous deposit, vlrieh luis become as hard and firm as the shin bone itself. Fig. 3 represents a shin boiie having an osseons deposit npon ita head and on the inner side. When this bony enlargement is high up on the joint it often produces incurable lamen In the second cut Fig. 1 represents the natural position of a sound hoek when the animal is in motion. Fig. 2 shows the position of the hoek and foot when the latter i.; brought to the ground in liction. Spavin is supposed to be one of the hereditary diseases handed down from sire or dam to offspring. This may not be strictly true, writes a veterinary Burgeon in American Cultivator. Yet in ono Hcnse it is doubtless correct, for while the diseased hoek itself may not be transmitted, yet the forni of hoek most Hable to be affected by spa vin, if possessed by either sire or dam, is Hable to reappear in the progeny. Short, narrow hoeks are much more Hable to suffer frorn spavin than long, wide wedge Bhaped ones, a fact which young breeders can remember to their advantage when nelecting their stock. The treatinent advised by Stonehedge is such as tends to abate the inflammation and promote absorption of the new growth. Prior to the adoption of any plan the joint should be rested, the outer heel of the shoe should be lowered, the corn should be taken away, and the system cooled by appropriate treatment. After these precautions are taken, the next thing is to decide upon the remedies which will be suited to the case. They consist in: (1) Blisters, which have a tendeney to canse absorption ; (2) firing; (3) setons, with or without subentaneona Bcarification; (4) división of the nerve. Russell says that bone spavin may be removed by an early application of the proper remedies. In its incipient state it may be discovered by an unusual heat or tenderness on the inner side of the hoek joint, aecompanied with a, touch of lameness. At this period Russell suggests a blister, but when of long standing itis nsttally necessary to apply actual cautery. This latter operation, however, rnust not bo performed whüe any inflammaticm remains. The horse must be turned loose and given rest for a co siderable time. .