67 



DISORDERS OF THE FOOT AND LEG. 

 RINGBONE. 



Symptoms. — Lameness is sometimes the first inti- 

 mation we have of the existence of ringbone, which is 

 at first neglected, and only ascertained by passing tho 

 hand down over the part. As usual with most disea- 

 'ses of tlie foot, the attendant commonly ascribes the 

 lameness to a strain higher up — of the shoulder gene- 

 rally, as ringbones afflict the fore foot oftener than the 

 hinder one. It consists in the ossification of the car- 

 tilage in front of the foot, which extends in time to the 

 lateral parts also. 



Remedies. — These may be applied to relieve, but no 

 cure is to be found for ringbone. As high heel usually 

 accompanies the short upright hoof, the concussions 

 of the foot may be lessened by lowering the heels. — 

 Apply blistering ointment to the seat of the disease, 

 and firing may also be employed with advantage. 



WINDGALLS, 



These appear a little above the fetlock, on each 

 side of the back sinews, and consist of small puffy 

 swellings, that occasion no immediate inconvenience, 

 but proves that the animal has been strained in his 

 work, unless it has been occasioned by his having 

 been put to it too early in life. They may be occa- 

 sioned by the sinus of a tumor, pointing towards the 

 pastern joint, having been cured too harshly, whereby 

 the joint oil issues forth upon their being pricked. 



Blistering and ;»run in the straw yard, are the only 

 remedies, though experiments are often tried, when 

 ilis found necessary to sell the animal, with prepara- 

 tions of muriatic acid, and muriate of ammonia diluted 

 in water. Saturate a roller bandage herewith fre- 

 quently, and partial absorption takes place. 



THOROUGHPIN 



Is of the same nature as the foregoing, arises from 

 the same cause, and is equally devoid of immediate 

 consequence to the animal's going. It cons sts of a 

 «oft flexible swelling on the inside of the hock-joint, 

 F 



