510 THE DISEASES OF Till: HORSE 



vasrliiio, llie skin In-low tlio Mistered lunlioii in order to avoid scalding tho 

 sound skin with mattci- from above. To the judgment of the professional 

 attendant sliould be left the question of (iring in those cases where other 

 means have failed, or from the nature of the exostosis make it probable that 

 they would so fail. Pyro-puncture is tho name given to the operation 

 which leaves the minimum of blemish if the a-ctual cautery must be used. It 

 .'.s done with an instrument having a number of fine steel points, or else by 

 (he insertion at regular intervals of a pointed iron or an aluminium point 

 heated by passing the vapour of benzol through an appai'atus designed for the 

 purpose, and of great utility to the expert, but not to be recommended to 

 the amateur, since it requires a good deal of pi'actice for its efficient use, is 

 very costly, and liable to get out of repair, JA\\o, firing, or " diamond," is 

 also adopted with success in many instances, and would appear to liave tlie 

 eflfect claimed by its advocates of binding down the parts, as it were, witli a 

 permanent bandage and support, but the value of an animal so operated 

 upon is, of course, veiy mucli lessened, as he will never lose the marks. 



RINGBONE AND SIDEBONE 



These terms, often indiflerently used by the horseman, are quite distinct, 

 as affecting different structures. Ringbone, like splint, is a growth of bono 

 u]ion bone, while sidebonc is the conversion of cartilage into bone. 



Ringbone for convenience of description is generall}'- divided into high 

 and low, and first received its appellation from the growth surrounding or 

 nearly surrounding the bones affected. It is called high when growing upon 

 the long pastern (os suffraginis), and low when the short bone (os corona) is 

 aflected. Both may be involved and include the pedal or coffin-bone as well 

 in one mass of bony deposit, uniting them into a common anchylosis and 

 destroying their natural movements. 



The fore-limbs are more pi'one to this disease than tlie hind, but any or 

 all may be affected. Heavy draught-horses are such frequent subjects of 

 sidebone (ossification of the lateral cartilage) that it is probable in time to 

 eome it will have to be no longer considered as a cause of unsoundness, but 

 an example of evolution. 



Symjitoms. — Lameness as a rule accompanies the formation of ringbone, 

 but in many heavy animals used only at a walking pace a considerable 

 deposit often takes place Avithout being observed, until some unlucky twist 

 or slip excites active inflammation, and calls attention to the cause. With 

 light horses the concussion produced by faster paces is pretty sui'e to produce 

 early lameness, the animal as a rule failing in his work rather than showing 

 a "stable" lameness. Careful manipulation will generally demonstrate the 

 seat of pain, and early ti'eatment is hopeful. 



Treatment of ringbone is very similar to that of splint, but more time 

 should be allowed for rest before putting the animal to work. Care should 

 be taken to avoid irritating the hollow of the heel by filling it first with 

 lard before using a blister. 



Sidebone. — The lateral cartilages described elsewhere as prolongations of 

 the pedal-bone should in a sound horse yield to the pressure of the thumb, 

 and in the very young animal be easily compressed towards the heel, but in 



