100 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS A>fD TREATMENT OF 



irons may be of benefit, and you may be justifiable in performing 

 neurotomy. The firing iron is generally the most potent. Now these 

 remedies act by setting up a new inflammatory action, the result of which 

 is reproductive material thrown out, producing anchylosis of the articu- 

 lation ; after which the irritation ceases, and the enlargement may be 

 reduced to a certain extent, but not completely. Cutting the "feeder" 

 of a ringbone, as some say, may prove beneficial from the irritation set 

 up, not from taking away the food of the bone. Even blistering and 

 firing in some cases have but little effect. 



Side Bones. — This is ossification of the lateral cartilages. This is 

 different from and more simple than ringbone. It is oftener met with in 

 heavy breeds. As well as being ossified, they become enlarged, producing 

 an osseous tumour. This is not uncommon in the heavy Clyde horses, 

 and in them it does not so seriouslj^ interfere with their usefulness. It 

 is more apt to set up irritation and cause lameness in light driving horses ; 

 and if you are examining such, and side-bones are present, condemn him ; 

 but in a heavy horse, just acquaint the parties with it, as it sometimes 

 gives rise to lameness. Such en animal may be affected with corns, and 

 if so, the irritation is severe. 



Treahnent. — Cut the under portion of the hoof well down under the 

 side bones ; reduce the irritation by poulticing ; use hot or cold applica- 

 tions, and follow by a blister. It is not often necessary to have recourse 

 to firing. Use a bar or three-quarter shoe. 



Osteophytes. — A slight exostosis involving the upper part of the fet- 

 lock joint. It is at first merely inflammation of the periosteum. It is 

 common in race horses. The symptoms are peculiar. If the horse gets 

 a hard ride, there will be great lameness and heat in the parts. You 

 might almost think some of the ligaments were ruptured. So long as 

 useful for moderate work, he seems almost sound, and you may have 

 difficulty in diagnosing. Although extremely lame, he will be much bet- 

 ter after standing over night. After a few days, having hard work, it 

 will again show itself. These enlargements may attain a considerable 

 size. Give rest, foment, etc., and follow by a blister. Splints that have 

 to be treated while the animal is at work may be treated by cold water 

 or a mild ointment of mercury, not a blister, but a stimulant. There are 

 bony deposits in connection with the ligaments and tendons. These 

 osteophites may appear in other parts of the body — deposits, such as a 

 tooth, may be found in various parts of the body. 



Spayin. — When we speak of spavin without any distinction, we mean 

 bone spavin. It is an exostosis or bony growth, situated on the antero- 

 internal part of the hock joint, and may or may not be accompanied by 

 caries of the internal structures. There are two kinds— one from inflam- 

 mation of the periosteum, which is confined to the external part of the 

 joint ; the other arising from the internal parts, giving rise to caries. A 

 slight blister applied in one case will relieve ; in another it will not. The 

 one case was external, the other internal. The hock joint is complicated 

 and beautiful ; the bones are so arranged as to give great power ; yet, by 

 the great strain, they are frequently diseased. There are different articu- 

 lations — the true joint and the gliding motion between some. If the 

 joint is much affected, action is also affected. Spavin occurs on the 

 inner side of the limb, as it is near the centre of gravity. It is found in 

 connection with the cuneiform, magnum, medium, and parvum. 



Pathology — If it is high up, it is not so easily treated as if lower down. 

 A low spavin is in the small articulations. A high spavin is about an 

 inch higher up — not very large, and generally associated with caries. If 

 it occurs when the horse is five or six years old, low down, there is a 



