In all other cases of spavin, whatever may be its particular form or situation, give fifteen drops of B.B., each morning and night, see that the legs are well rubbed, with but moderate daily work or exercise. The pain, lameness, and subsequent exudation of bony matter depend upon the affection of the ligaments of the joint. This being relieved, the whole affection disappears. All recent and soft spavins may be successfully treated thus, and even the most inveterate ones will be relieved and benefited. It is not pretended or presumed that old chronic, years’ standing spavins, when there are extensive ossific dispositions or necrosis, are to be caused to disappear by this or any medicine. But all those incipient cases may be thus cured and even the old enlargements vastly improved.
Splint
In consequence of an injury a bony tumor arises in the inside of the fore-leg below the knee; sometimes, though rarely, it is seen on the outside, and even on the hind legs. After having existed some time, they seldom occasion lameness, except so situated as to interfere with the action of the tendons or ligaments of the legs. During the forming stage, the horse is lame because the periosteum or covering of the bone is inflamed, but after this has subsided and the bony exudation is thrown out, it disappears, except in the case above mentioned. In some cases, in the beginning, the feet are hot and painful, the animal likes to remain lying down; and if only the fore-feet are affected, he puts them down with great care and evident pain, and there is general fever and suffering, which passes off with the more decided local manifestation. If the tumor is of some standing, it may be quite difficult or impossible to cause its disappearance. But happily these old hardened tumors seldom interfere with the essential usefulness of the animal.
Treatment.—In most cases if there is heat and feverish excitement of the system, give fifteen drops of A.A., and B.B., alternately, five times per day, that is, a dose of B.B. morning, noon and night, and a dose of A.A., at say ten o’clock in the forenoon and at three in the afternoon, until the heat and lameness are partially subdued, and then give B.B., morning and night, until the lameness and irritation have entirely subsided. Old cases may only require a dose every day.
Ring Bone
Consists of an enlargement and ossific deposit (near the fetlock joint) in consequence of a strain and inflammatory action. It may appear on one or both sides of the foot, or completely surround it, giving rise to the name. One or more feet may be affected by it. It is generally recognized by a mere bony enlargement on one or both sides of the pastern, and the lameness is not very considerable.
Treatment.—At the commencement bathe the part with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel or Veterinary Oil from day to day, and give fifteen drops of B.B., three times a day. In chronic cases, give a dose morning and night, or even only once per day. Cases of considerable standing will materially improve, and recent or fresh cases may be permanently restored.
Thrush and Canker
This disease is an inflammation of the lower surface of the sensible frog, which secretes matter of a peculiar offensive smell, instead of healthy horn. The matter issues from the cleft of the frog. In a sound frog the cleft is shallow, but when contracted or otherwise diseased, the cleft deepens even to the sensible horn within, and through this the matter issues. Afterwards the discharge becomes more abundant and offensive; the frog wears off and a fresh growth of horn fails to appear. It then becomes thin, shriveled, contracted and fissured; and as the disease extends, the matter becomes still more fetid, and may terminate in a yet more unmanageable form of disease, namely, canker. In Thrush, the frog is painful when pressed upon by the thumb or pincers, or when the animal treads upon a stone. As a consequence of neglected thrush, the horn may separate from the sensible part of the foot, and unhealthy vegetations, proud flesh, fungous matter spring up, occupying a portion or the whole of the sole of the frog, and finally involving frog, sole and bars, in a mass of putrefaction, constituting the worst form of canker.
Treatment.—As thrush is often caused by uncleanliness and constant moisture of the feet, the greatest care must be taken to keep them dry and clean, and especially from dung and urine. If connected with contracted fore-feet, particular care must be given to shoeing.