DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 99 



some distance. Keep it on for a day or two, and wash off and blister 

 again, as the ease demands. Give gentle exercise, and in the summer 

 use plenty of cold water. It may be necessary to make an incision into 

 the part, but such cases are rare, but if there is great exudation it might 

 prevent it from becoming organized. "You may meet with a case in the 

 hind limbs from other causes, as in jumping fences and striking with the 

 limbs. The result is extensive swelling, and benefit is sometimes derived 

 by making an incision. There is no specific for sore shins. It is hard 

 to say how blisters act, but they are attended with benefit. We find 

 also a slight inflammation set up in the upper part of the fetlock joint, 

 and again it may be right above the knee— the result of concussion — 

 and a large bony deposit may be the result. The symptoms are nearly 

 the same ; it is difficult to locate the lameness. For some time he can 

 walk tolerably well, but drops much if trotted. It will disappear after a 

 while, and if allowed to stand it returns. 



Treatment. — Give rest, fomentations, cold applications, and blister, 

 and it might be advisable to make an incision, but be careful, especially 

 if in the neighbourhood of articulations. What is called obscure lame- 

 ness is often inflammation of the periosteum of the foreleg. 



Ringbone. — This is a common disease ; it is an exostosis situated in 

 the region of the pastern joint, the articulation between the oscorona 

 and ossuffraginis. Eingbone is applied to any exostosis in that quarter, 

 but if it is just upon the bone and does not involve the articulation it is 

 not very serious. It may affect any limb, but oftener the hind limb. 

 Inflammation is set up — it may be in connection with the cancellated 

 structure at the extremities — and gradually extends and destroys the 

 articular lamella and articular cartillage. Nature, in endeavouring to 

 overcome this, throws out material which becomes converted into bone, 

 and anchylosis is the result. At the same time there is an exudation 

 thrown out between the periosteum and the bone, and there may be 

 exostosis without the true joint being affected. Complete union of the 

 pastern joint is the result of ringbone in some cases. The exudation 

 extends around the articulation, hence the name ringbone. 



Causes. — I believe it is hereditary, and comes by breeding from weak, 

 sickly animals, predisposed to ringbone. Certain grasses may have a 

 tendency to produce it. The exciting causes are hard and fast work, 

 especially in young animals ; direct and indirect injury ; injury to the 

 articulations. An injury to the foot may produce it- a nail in the foot, 

 causing the animal to stand on the sound foot for weeks and weeks, may 

 produce it in the sound limb. Another is farmers allowing foals to run 

 after the mother while at work. 



Symptoms. — If of any size it is easily detected. When it is forming 

 the animal is more or less lame ; but sometimes a deposit takes place of 

 a soft character, and this becomes converted into bone without much 

 lameness. The lameness precedes the enlargement for some time, and it 

 is difficult in such cases to say just what the irritation is There is heat 

 around the hoof. You may, after some time, detect an enlargement, and 

 flexing the articulation gives pain. If it involves the articulation of the 

 ospedis in the fore foot, the animal will walk on the heel, similar to 

 chronic laminitis, and the hoof, stimulated by the inflammation, has a 

 tendency to grow in rings. 



Treatment is not very satisfactory in many cases. The treatment 

 must vary according to the disease going on in the bone. If in a 

 young animal, and the articulation is afl'ected and the hoof out of 

 shape, bring the foot in shape the best you can ; allay the irritation 

 by hot or cold applications, and then blister, Seatons and firing 



