Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Blood-spavin

BLOOD-SPAVIN, in farriery, is a swelling and dilatation that runs along the inside of the horse's leg, forming a small, soft tumor in the hollow part, and is not unfrequently accompanied with weakness and lameness of the part affected.

The cure of this disorder should at first be attempted with restringents and bandages, which will be found very efficacious in strengthening the joints; but if these should fail in reducing the vein to its natural size, the skin must be opened, and the vein tied with waxed thread passed under it with a crooked needle, both above and below the swelling, and the turgid part suffered to digest away with the ligatures: for this purpose, the wound should be daily dressed with a mixture of turpentine, honey, and spirit of wine.