Year: 1867

Sprain Of Tendon and LiRnment-
Curb in Horses.


An enlargement of the hook, causing
peculiar distortion of the outline
which is formed by the posteriOr part OF
the bone called the Os calcis, is decrl bed
as a curb. Every horseman is familiar
with the situation and appearance OF
the tumOr, and is aware that in the ma
iority of cases the soundness of horses
action is not affected by it, although it
amounts to decided blemish, and may
be the cause of lameness. Cnrbs are the
result of sprain affecting the tibrous
acknowledgements the back OF the
os calcis, the bone which forms the
characteristic point of the hook. In
cases where severe injury has been sus-
tained, the tendons which pass over a
portion of this bone are also implicated,
and the size of the enlargement is much
increased in such cases, while the COM
plication adds to the serious character
of the disease.


Trea tnent of the Curb.-Counter irrit-
ants seem to be inevitable in the treat
of the ills of horse flesh, and according
ly we may conclude that all the nos
trums which are presumed to be etfica-
cious in "taking off the curb" be-
long to the list. More ingenuity than
usual appears to have been exercised
in the selection of remedies for this
disease, and we have therefore, II choice
of specifies. The one that is held in
the highest favor, and by some is guard
ed with the utmost jealousy on account
of it's presumed infallibility, deserves to
be irst introduced it has no specific
name that we remember, but may be
made by dissolving corrosive sublimate
in spirit of wine. The sublimate should
be triturated in mortar with success
sive portions of the spirit, and each
portion poured off until a strong sOlu-
tion is obtained. The clear duid will
be found sufficiently active if applied to
the curb by means Of a small brush,
both skin and hair being well wetted.


A second application may be necessary
after few hours, but generally consid-
erable irritation is produced almost
Immediately.


Sometimes large vesicle is formed ;
but the great object is to get thick
scurf upon the surface of the skin, and
then to leave the part untouched until
this accumulation of cuticle and hair,
matted together by the exudatiOn which
takes place, falls off and leaves behind
only moiety of the original swelling.
This process of taking off curb is in
many cases very effective, because there
is first the counter-irritant action, next
the pressure of the hard accumulation
of cuticle, and lastly the rest, which is
necessary during the treatment and to
allow of the subsequent restoration OF
the hair which has been removed by
the action eff the agent. Another plan
of treatment, less active, but hardly
less effectual, and if well managed pro-
ductive of no blemish, consists of the
free use of the oil of turpentine Esprit
of turpentine.) The application may
be safely made with friction Immediate
after the injury has taken place; and
contrary to expectation, very little irri-
tation follows, and the rubbing may be
repeated daily or twice day, for three
or four lays, without any loss of hair
following. Under this treatment the
enlargement frequently subsidies, ana
the parts are perfectly restored. The
method, however, seems best adapted
to recent cases of the disease.