ELECTRIC CURE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 804, 3 July 1933, Page 10

ELECTRIC CURE.

Melbourne Jumper Yields to Treatment. Electricity in the treatment of unsound horses has been experimented with in Melbourne recently, and it has proved a success. Catkin, a New Zealand bred jumper, was under a course of the treatment, and from a cripple he has been improved to such an extent that he has been able to “school'’ and race over hurdles recently. The treatment .is known as Diathermy, and it is used on patients in hospitals for the cure of rheumatism and such like complaints. But so far as is known. Catkin is the first horse treated in Australia. Some time ago Catkin broke down in the suspensory ligament., and it was feared that he would never race again. The task of making his leg callous by the usual method of working on hard roads would have taken so long, even if a success, that the gelding would have been too old for racing by the time of its completion. The gelding’s leg had been pin fired, but that did not affect a cure. T. J. Hayes, owner-trainer of Catkin, decided to try the Diathermy treatment as a quicker and more thorough method. After having seen an experiment of the Diathermy on Catkin, Hayes was satisfied that it would be a success, and he purchased one at a cost of nearly 100. Hayes has no reason to regret his action. Catkin’s injured leg has “ cleaned ” up, and where previously there was a soft swelling, there is now a hardened bone. The electric treatment was undertaken about 10 weeks ago and the improvement in the leg was noticeable from the beginning. How the Instrument Works, The Diathermy is enclosed in a small cabinet in which the electric power is generated when connected with an ordinary electric light point, and the switch set in motion. Leads with “ feeders ” attached, are bound, with electroid metal and rubber bands, to the leg on the fetlock joint, and above the knee, between which is the affected part. When the power is switched on a current of 700 milliamperes is passed through the leg for a period of 45 minutes. This process produces heat, which hardens the injured leg and forms bone. In the case of Catkin the splint bones were joined to the cannon bone through the treatment of callousing, and actually formed new bone. As the leg improved, and the solfnsss became harder, the power was reduced until it was painful for Catkin at 100 milliamperes. One could feel the heat in the gelding’s leg after the application of the machine. To test the result of the treatment thoroughly after several weeks’ application, Hayes treated Catkin to a series of schooling lessons. In one week the*gelding was jumped ovpr 12 hurdles, and came through the est successfuly. There was no sign of lameness, and then the gelding was tried in public. He came through that test all right. In the race at Caulfield a fortnight ago, Catkin did not jump with confidence. This was only to be expected of a gelding who had not raced over hurdles for a long time. The present soft ground, following the rain, will be in Catkin’s favour, for he has always shown his best when the ground is heavy. In fact, that fondness is a characteristic of the stock of Catmint, his sire. The apparent cure affected in the I case of Catkin by the aid of electricity opens up a big 'avenue for its use in the treatment of horses. Splints, painful swellings which appear on horses’ legs, may be removed by this means, and its value in the case of muscular trouble can be understood. LATE RESULTS. Oamaru Jockey Club’s Meeting. WIHTER HACK HANDICAP Of 125 sovs, second horse 20 sovs and third horse 10 sovs from the stake. One mile and a quarter. 3- —PALMARY, Mr T. J. Lister’s bg. by Paladin—Bonne Bouche, syrs, 8.1 (W. H. Jones) 1 1-I—SILVER SIGHT, Mr A. Beban’s br c, by Silverado—On Sight, 3yrs, 8.0 (A. H. Eastwood) .... 2 4- —DRESSY, Mr J. A. White’s b m by Last Dart—All Style, syrs, 8.2 (G. H. Humphries) . . 3 6- Shock 8.9 (B. H. Brodie), 5-5 Amy Johnson 8.6 (W. Cooper), and 2-2 Water Polo 8.4 (L. J. Ellis) also started. WAIKAURA HANDICAP (111 Harness), Of 100 sovs, second horse 15 sovs and third horse 10 sovs from the stake. Class 3.7. One mile and a quarter. 3- —SUNBROWN, Mr A. Lindsay’s br g, by Sungod—Marne, aged, scr (R. Townley) 1 S.3—GREAT ANTRIM, Mr F. Taverner's br h, by Basso Dillon Wilkes—Wildwood mare, 4yrs, scr (H. Butcher) 2 4- —HYTEMOANA, Mr J. A. Smaill’s ch g, by Nelson Bingen—Seaward Spot, syrs, scr (J. M’Lennan) 3 8-9 Athelney Lass scr. 10-10 Colleen Chenault scr, 9-8 Parnell scr. 6-4 Ivan de Oro scr, coupled with Scarlet Runner scr. 7-7 Pekara scr, 1-1 Red Gold scr 13-11 Sunny Bingen scr, 2-2 Black Watch 24vds bhd, 11-13 Almont Cling 36vds bhd and 12-12 Sansaveno 36yds bhd also started. FAREWELL HANDICAP. Of 90 sovs; second horse 15 sovs and third horse 5 sovs, from the stake. Six furlongs. 8-7 DRACULA, Mr A. Smith’s b g, by Arrowsmith —Rosy Red, 3yrs, 8.0 (G. H. Humphries) 1 1- —REPUDIATION, Mr J. Richardson’s br f, by Paper Money— Tortrix, 3yrs, 8.6 (A. E. Didham) 2 5- —IAN’S MARCH, Mr D. Grant’s br m, by March Along—Princess lan, syrs, 9.0 (A. E. Ellis) .... 3 7- Arden's Beauty 9.5 (B. H. Brodie), 2- Grand Final’e 8.13 (J. Dooley), 3-6 Gilpit 8.4 (L. J. Ellis), 4-2 Reminder 8.3 (P. W. Powell) and 6-4 Helen Gold 8.0 (A. H. Eastwood) also started. Waikato Trotting Club’s Meeting. TE KOWHAI HANDICAP, of 100 sovs. Class 3min 33sec. One mile and a half. 2- —Manco, 24 yds bhd 1 1- —Wee Machine, 4 Byds bhd 2 3- —Edna Worthy, scr 3 7-7 My Thorpe scr, 2-3 Guid Hairst 60yds coupled with the winner, 5-6 Daddy Longlegs 36yds, 4-4 Eleawah 4 Byds and 6-5 Jackie Thorpe 48yds, also startled. KAIPAKI HANDICAP, of 110 sovs. Class 2min 51sec. One mile and a 2- —Lady Coronado, 12yds bhd .... 1 3- —Raider, scr 2 1-I—Silver Bingen, 12yds bhd 3 4-5 Free Logan scr, 3-3 Poi scr, 5-4 Pukemiro scr, 2-2 Homeward 36yds coupled with the winner, 7-7 Rangihau 12yds and 6-6 Our Peter 24yds, also started. EUREKA HANDICAP, of 85 sovs. Class 3min. One mile and a quarter. 1-I—Cimarron, 12yds bhd 1 6- —Whakahihi, 12yds bhd 2 3-3—Donee, scr 3 7-7 Alexis scr, 3-3 Lislea scr, 2-2 Lady Amanda scr, 8-8 Peter Grattan scr, 4-4 Stormy Mack 24yds and 5-5 Edna Worthy 4 Byds, also started.