st stages of the disease a severe and stiff
blister, such as the cantharidate of collodium, entirely covering the
cyst, perhaps not yet completely formed, when the inflammation has
subsided, will be of great benefit by its stimulating effect, the
absorption it may excite, and the pressure which, when dry, it will
maintain upon the tumor. If, however, the thickening of the growth fails
to diminish, it should be treated with some of the iodin preparations in
the form of ointments, pure or in combination with potassium, mercury,
etc., of various strengths and in various proportions. My opinion of
setons is not favorable, but the actual cautery, by deep and fine
firing, in points--needle cauterization--I believe to be the best mode
of treatment, and especially when applied early.

A very satisfactory way to treat these cases is to burst the swelling by
pressure from without. A strap or strong linen bandage is placed about
the hock, pressing on the bursa, while the affected leg is on the
ground, the other hind foot being lifted up. When the bandage is in
place the leg should be released, and the horse will violently flex the
bandaged limb and produce pressure on the bursa, with consequent
bursting and discharging of its contents.

Whatever treatment may be adopted for capped hock, patience must be one
of the ingredients. In these parts absorption is slow, the skin is very
thick, and its return to a soft, pliable, natural condition, if effected
at all, will take place only after weeks added to other weeks of medical
treatment and patient waiting.

INTERFERING, AND SPEEDY CUTS.

These designations belong to certain special injuries of the
extremities, produced by similar causes, giving rise to kindred
pathological lesions with allied phenomena, requiring about the same
treatment and often followed by the same results, to wit, a blemish
which may not only subject the animal to a suspicion of unsoundness, but
in some special circumstances may interfere with his ability to labor.
It is known as "interfering" when the location of the trouble is the
inside of the fetlock of either the fore or hind leg. It is called
"speedy cut" when it occurs on the inside of the fore leg, a little
below the knee, at the point of contact of that joint with the cannon.
It is always the result of a blow, self-inflicted, of varying severity,
and giving rise to various lesions. (See also p. 399.)

_Symptoms._--At times the injury is too slight t