RINGBONE AND SIDEBONE. 457 
ringpone and sidebone co-exist in the same leg, as shown at fig. 3, 
where the three bones are completely anchylosed, and in which, during 
life, the only action was in the fetlock joint. The disease attacks the hind 
leg as well as the fore ; but it is more common in the latter than in the 
former. 
The symptoms are a greater or less enlargement of the leg, of a hard and 
unyielding nature, either immediately above the coronet, as in sidebone, 
or a little higher, as in ringbone. In the Jatter case, if thoroughly 
established, it surrounds the joint, whence the name of ringbone ; but in 
the early stages it appears at certain points from which it spreads all 
round. Sidebone is seldom so extensive, and usually attacks the postero- 
lateral parts of the os corons, where the swelling is defined, and, except in 
very hairy-legged or gummy-heeled horses, can easily be felt. In the 
Fie. 3.—Casz oF RinGBONE AND SIDEBONE OCCURRING IN A HEAVY DRAY Horse. 
1. Os suffraginis. 4. Complete union by ossitic matter between the 
2. Os corone. os pedis and 0s coron, but still incomplete 
8. Os pedis. in the joint above. 
5. Complete union of the three bones. 
early stages the action is not impeded, but there is more or less soreness 
or lameness. After much bone is thrown out, the joints are either com- 
pletely fixed or their movements are extremely limited. 
The treatment in the early stage is precisely similar to that for splint ; 
but the operation of scarifying the periosteum requires great care and some 
knowledge of the anatomy of these joints, or the knife ‘will pierce the cap- 
sular ligament, and increase the evil it was intended to relieve. A seton 
without the scarification will often be of service, and for sidebone, firing 
in the early stage will be serviceable, though it is objectionable on accounk 
