.274 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



4. Side Bone. 



Side bone is ossification, or turning into bone, of the 

 lateral cartilages of the foot ; these are two, one situated on 

 each side. By pressing on them at each side just above the 

 hoof, they may be moved in and out, that is when they are in 

 a healthy state. When they become diseased or changed into 

 bone, they become enlarged and cannot be moved. It is more 

 frequently met with in heavy breeds, but is sometimes met 

 with in light horses, when it is harder to treat and more of a 

 detriment to them on account of being used for fast work. 



Causes. — Hard work, as a general thing, causes side bone. 



Symptoms. — Heavy horses are not lame in some cases, 

 there being simply the enlargement at each side of the foot, 

 just above the hoof. In severe cases there may be lameness. 

 In light horses, used for drawing, the first symptom noticed 

 is lameness, followed by the enlargement at the sides of the 

 foot, just above the hoof. 



Treatment. — Rest the animal as much as possible. If in 

 the summer, bathe the foot well with cold water and salt 

 twice a day, each time, wipe dry and apply the white lini- 

 ment. If in the winter, bathe with warm water and salt, and 

 also poultice with half linseed meal and half bran. Apply the 

 poultice as warm as possible without burning the animal, and 

 each time after bathing and poulticing, rub with white lini- 

 ment as mentioned above. When the soreness and lameness 

 has disappeared blister with 



Biniodide of Mercury 2 drams. 



Vaseline or Lard 1 ounce. 



Mix well together and there is enough to blister a small 

 side bone four times. Apply quarter of the blister and rub in 

 thoroughly, leave for three days and then grease with lard. 

 In two or three weeks wash the parts clean with lukewarm 

 water and soap, and blister again as before. Repeat the 

 blisters until the lameness is entirely gone and the side bone 

 stops growing. In buying a horse always examine him closely 

 for side bones, especially if a heavy horse. In cases where it 

 is necessary to work the animal shoe him with a bar shoe. 



5. Ringbone. 



There are two kinds — the - high-up and the low-down 

 ringbone. The high-up ringbone affects the pastern joint, the 

 low-down the coffin joint. It is a bony growth around the 



