Year: 1876

From paper by Mr.. James Mclaughlin
on the above subject, which was read before
the Montreal Veterinary Medical Associa.
tion, we make the following extracts -


Bone SPAWN as l. rule produces lameness,
sooner or later. Although so few cases have
come under my observation, where one or
both hooks bore thoroughly developed spav-
ins, and yet for a number Of years showed no
lameness therefrom, cannot but maintain
that when we have such direct interference
with this most important and complicated
joint, it will some day cause lameness aud
whether the lameness attends its early for
nation or subsequent growth, if once bone is
thrown out, the disease becomes established,
and the animal is rendered unsound through
life. The lameness attendant on this disease
is very remarkable, and easily distinguished
from any other. The animal, on starting,
draws the limb up with quick, sudden mo-
ticn, and yet there is an evident dragging of
the leg, indicative Of pain, and a loss of ac
tion in the joint. As the horse proceeds on
his journey, perceptibe reduction of the
lameness ensues, and when quito distance
is travelled, it very often disappears entirely
but allow the animal to again rest, and on
starting anew, recurrence of the lameness
takes place. The departure of the lamcness
depends not only on the amount of exercise,
but principally on the extent of growth in
the SPAWN if it be newly forming, the lame
ness may cease after few miles have been
travelled, but if it has acquired considerable
growth, exercise will but slightly abate it.
The degree Of interference with the action
Of the joint by the bony deposit determines
the extent of the lameness, which is further
aggravated by the difficulty experienced by
the periosteum, in accommodating itself to
the bony growth beneath it. Veterinary
practice in the treatment Of this disease pre-
sents a wide field for differences of opinion
to arise, and this difference is based solely
on one fact. They all agree upon the neces.
sity of reducing the inflammation as far as
possible as primary step, also upon the
advantage derived from eevating the calk-
ings, whereby tension is removed from the
joint, aud further the ultimate and unavod.
able application of counter-irritants to de-
Stroy the lameness; but in the latter they
seem to disagree to great extent. Individ-
uNi'y S"Sh OhS SioiinihH au auNahtdko lOE
his treatment over all others. Some deem
repeated blsters as sufficient, and leave a
comparatively slight bemish.


Others introduce seton and thereby keep
up an incCssant counter.irritation, and from
this also but little blemish accrues. Farm.
ers and quaoks can even at this day be found
who resort to the application of acids, and
there success is generally characterised by
the destruction Of the entire limb. But we
find number who most sensibly consider a
still severer counter-rritant necessary. and
with repeated success use the actual cautery,
and consider it serious mistake on the
part Of those who try to discontinue its use
in this respect. What we wish to produce
by counter.irritation in the spawn, is an in.
creased offusion of lymph by exciting extreme
Inflammation, and as the etfused lymph is
quickly converted into bone aud omplote
union Of the joint effected, the sooner this is
accomplished the sooner is the lameness re-
moved and the celerity with which this re-
suit is attained by the use of the firing iron,
Oompensates for the pain Of the operation and
resulting blemishes.