180 XAVIN ON THE HORSE. 



the coronary ring. It may extend mucli further than this, 

 however, even to the fetlock-joint, and produce stiffness of it. 

 Stiffness, called anchylosis, of the pastern and coffin-joints, are 

 common results of ring-bone. _ ^ 



From the foregoing explanation, it will be seen how ridicu- 

 lous many of the'^cures often recommended for this disease are. 

 And, not only so, but how absurd some of the notions enter- 

 tained of it are. For example, Dr. Dadd tells us of a writer 

 in New England, who says: "King-bone is ^ fed by a bladder, 

 situated at the posterior parts of the tumor." 



Symptoms.— li is generally no difacult matter to satisfy one's 

 self of the existence of ring-bone. The eye or the hand will be 

 quite sufficient to detect it, even though the deposit of bone 

 should be very slight. But the extent to which the joints may 

 be involved may require more care, and on this may depend 

 considerable; for, though a horse may not be entirely worthless 

 that has ring-bone, some would be a dear bargain at nothing, 

 while it might justify to pay a small price for others. 



There is always more or less impediment in the motions of 

 the joints of the pastern and foot, but not always what might 

 be termed positive lameness, though, in some cases, there is 

 very great lameness; and necessarily so, when the tumor has 

 become large and the joints stiffened, or when the disease has 

 attacked a tendon, as it sometimes does. Also, in the earlier 

 stages of the disease, when the parts are irritated or inflamed, 

 before they have accommodated themselves to the new condi- 

 tion of things, lameness is to be expected. Heat and tender- 

 ness will also be found when the inflammation is considerable. 

 Caw5^5.— These may be considered under the heads of pre- 

 disposing causes, or such as render the horse liable to have 

 ring-bone, and exciting causes, or such as immediately bring on 



the attack. 



Of the predisposing causes, hereditary influence may be re- 

 garded first in importance. The colts of a ring-boned sire or 

 dam will most certainly be more liable to it than those of sound 



