352 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



attempting their treatment. Though crepitation is not always easy 

 to detect, the excessive himeness. the soreness on pressure, the ina- 

 bility to carry weight, the difficulty experienced in raising the foot, 

 all these suggest, as the solution of the question of diagnosis, the 

 fracture of the coronet, Avith the accompanying realization of the 

 fact that there is yet, by reason of the situation of the member, im- 

 mobilized as it is by its structure and its surroundings, room left 

 for a not unfavorable prognosis. Only a slight manipulation will be 

 needed in the treatment of this lesion. To render the immobility 

 of the region more fixed, to support the bones in their position by 

 bandaging, and to establish forced immobility of the entire body 

 with the slings is usually all that is required. Ringbone, being a 

 common sequela of the reparative process, must receive due atten- 

 tion subsequently. One of the severest complic^itions liable to be 

 encountered is an immobile joint (anchylosis). Neurectomy of the 

 median nerve may relieve lameness after a fracture of the pha- 

 langes. 



FRACTURES OF THE THIRD PHALANX (OS PEDIS). 



These lesions may result from a penetrating street nail, or folloAv 

 plantar or median neurectomy. In the latter instance it is caused by 

 the animal setting the foot down carelessly and too violently, and 

 partly due to degeneration of bone tissue which follows nerving. 



Though these fractures are not of very rare occurrence, their recog- 

 nition is not easy, and there is more of speculation than of certainty 

 pertaining to their diagnosis. The animal is very lame and spares 

 the injured foot as much as possible, sometimes resting it upon the 

 toe alone and sometimes holding it from the ground. The foot is 

 very tender, and the exploring pinchers of the examining surgeon 

 cause much pain. During the first 24 hours there is no increased 

 pulsation in the digital and plantar arteries, but on the second day 

 it is apparent. 



There is nothing to encourage a favorable prognosis, and a not 

 imusual termination is an anchylosis with either the navicular bone 

 or the coronet. 



No method of treatment needs to be suggested here, the hoof per- 

 forming the office of retention unaided. Local treatment by baths 

 and fomentations will do the rest. It may be months before there is 

 any mitigation of the lameness. 



An ultimate recovery depends to a great extent upon whether the 

 other foot can support the weight during the healing process without 

 causing a drop sole in the supporting foot. 



FRACTURE OF THE SESAMOID BONES. 



This lesion has been considered by veterinarians, erroneously, we 

 think, as one of rare occurrence. We believe it to be more fretjuent 



