lameness: its causes and theatment. 353 



than has been .supposed. Many observations and careful dissections 

 have convinced u^ that fracture^ of these little bones have been often 

 mistaken for specific lesions of the numerous li<j:aments that are 

 implanted upon their superior and inferior parts, and Nvhicii ha\e 

 been descril)ed as a "Jjivinjr ^vay " or '* breakinjr down" of the>e 

 lig^aments. In my post-mortem examinations I have always noted 

 the fact that when the attachments of the lipfaments were torn from 

 their l)ony connections minute frajrments (»f bony stiucture were also 

 separated, though we have failed to detect any diseased process of 

 the fibrous tissue composint; the li<ramentous substance. 



Cau.se. — From whatever cause this lesion may arise, it can hai'dly 

 1)6 considered as of a traumatic nature, no external violence having 

 any a|)parent airen<'y in produciujr it. and it is our belief that it is 

 due to a peculiar dej^eneration or softening of the l)ones themselves, a 

 theory which acquires plausibility from the consideration of the 

 spongy consistency of the sesamoids. The disease is a peculiar one, 

 and the suddenness with which dill'erent feet are successively at- 

 tacked, at short intervals and without any obvious cause, seems to 

 prove the existence of some latent, morbid cause which has been unsUs- 

 pectedly incubating. It is not })eculiar to any particular class of 

 hoi-ses, nor to any special season of the year, having fallen under our 

 observation in each <»f the four seasons. 



Symptoms. — The general fact is reported in the history of most 

 cases that it makes its appearance without premonition in animals 

 which, after enjoying a considerable period of rest, are first exer- 

 I'ised or put to work, though in point of fact it may manifest itself 

 while the horse is still idle in his stable. A hypothetical case, in 

 illustrati(m, will exj)lain oui- theory: An animal which has been at 

 rest in his stable is taken out to work, and it will be presently noticed 

 that there is something unusual in his movement. His gait is 

 changed, and he travels with shoit. mincing steps, witliout any of 

 his accustomed ease and freetlom. This nniy continue until his return 

 to the .stable, and then, after being placed in his stall, he will W 

 noticed shifting his weight from side to side and from one leg to 

 another, continuing the mo\ ement until rupture of tiie bony --tructure 

 takes place. B«it it may happen that the lameness in one or more of 

 the extremities, antei-ior or posterior, suddenly increases, and it 

 becomes evident that the rupture has taken ])hice in consecpience of 

 a misstep or a stumble while the hoi*se is at work. Then, upon com- 

 ing to a stand>-till. he will be found with one or more of his tcx's 

 turned up: he is unable to place the affected foot flat f>n the ground. 

 The fetlock has dropped and the leg rests upon this part, the skin of 

 which may have remained intact or may have been more or les< exten- 

 sively lacerated. It seldom happens that more than one toe at a 



3G444''— 16 23 



