458 THE HORSE. 
of the blemish it leaves behind. The biniodide of mercury ointment already 
described is most useful in slight cases, but in severe ones it will rather 
tend to aggravate the growth, and when anchylosis has taken place, nothing 
but time and patience for the subsidence of the inflammation will avail. 
When this has taken place, and the joint is fixed, a high-heeled shoe will 
enable the horse to work, with some awkwardness it is true, and the addi- 
tion of a leather sole will to some extent take off the jar, which occurs in 
a greatly increased ratio when the elastic action of the pastern joints is 
destroyed. 
OSSIFICATION OF THE LATERAL CARTILAGES. 
THIS IS COMMONLY KNOWN as ossification of the cartilages, or false ring- 
bone, no other cartilages being subject to ossification, and these being 
therefore known par excellence as the cartilages. In heavy cart horses it 
often co-exists with ringbone and sidebone, especially the latter ; but it 
also attacks well-bred carriage horses, and high-actioned hacks, which are 
comparatively free from those diseases. 
The symptoms are more or less enlargement of the back of the coronet, 
and heel, the part feeling unnaturally hard and irregular or lumpy. If 
recent, there is generally increased heat on careful examination with 
the hand ; but in old standing cases there is nothing of the kind to be 
detected. Lameness is not always present, but if the horse is rattled 
Fic. 4.—OssIFICATION oF TH LATERAL CARTILAGES. 
1. Pedal bone. 2. 3. The lateral cartilages ossified. 
over hard ground, he will be more likely to show the effects on the next 
day, by going short and sore, than if he were free from this disease. 
The treatment should be confined to recent cases, for in old standing 
ones, unless lameness shows itself, it is better to avoid any interference. 
A seton, with rest, has sometimes proved very efficacious, even in confirmed 
ossification, and repeated dressings with the biniodide of mercury ointment, 
will, in those cases where the inflammation does not run very high, afford 
the best chance of causing the absorption of some of the bone, for a com- 
plete cure is never effected. When there is much heat in the part, bleed- 
ing from the foot may be adopted, and afterwards, the application of cloths 
dipped in cold water, with the addition of a glass of tincture of arnica to 
quart of water. In confirmed cases, where the parts have become cal- 
lous, a leather sole to the shoe will take off the vibration, and should 
be used during the summer season. Scarification of the skin covering 
the enlargement with a lancet, encouraging the bleeding by warm water, 
and followed by the use of cold water as soon as the bleeding has ceased, 
