and hence, an effort of nature is set up to strengthen parts which 

 are too weak, by converting an elastic substance into a hard and 

 unyielding mass, and a moving hinge into a fixture. 



Treatment If it is of recent origin, and the horse is young, 

 much may be done in the way of a cure, by first removing all 

 heat and inflammation with cold water cloths wrapped round the 

 parts for three days, taking them off" at night. At the end of that 

 time, get one drachm of the bin-iodide of mercury, mix with one 

 ounce of lard, and apply one-half of the salve by rubbing it in 

 well for ten minutes. Tie up the horse's head for a few hours, 

 and the next day wash ofi* with soap and warm water, daily 

 anointing the parts with lard or oil for a week ; then apply the 

 remainder of the salve in the same way, and proceed as before. 

 In old horses, not much can be done with ringbone, as the bones 

 of old animals contain so much earthy (lime) matter that nothing 

 can act upon it. 



Ringworm. — (See Skin Diseases.) 



Roaring. — A noise made by some horses when put io work 

 There are many different sounds produced from the same cause, 

 and they are incurable, except when depending upon the presence 

 of tumors, which can be removed. Roaring can be relieved 

 somewhat by placing pads over the faulty nostril. When very 

 bad, an operation called tracheotomy — an opening into the wind- 

 pipe, and keeping a silver tube inserted in it — is sometimes re* 

 sorted to. By this means a draught horse can be kept at work 

 for many years. 



Round Bone. — (See Hip-joint.) 



Rowels. — An old-fashioned operation, consisting in an opening 

 made through the skin for a few inches in length, the skin being 

 raised from its attachments, and a piece of leather fitting the 

 cavity placed into it, so that a discharge is set up in a day or two. 

 Times were when this unnecessary cruelty was frequently inflicted 

 upon the poor unofiending horse, but in this humane and progres- 

 sive age, we only occasionally meet with the barbarity. Rowela 

 are an abomination, and inflict a scar or blemish, which never 

 leaves the part. The stupidity and ignorance of horse doctors 

 generally, do not allow them to see that the powers of nature are 

 more potent for good in curing the afifeotioa than a rowel — ^to 



