THE 



DISEASES OF THE HOESE, 



IHE ACCIDENTS TO WHICH HE IS LIABLE. 

 WITH THEIR TREATMENT. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



THE DISEASES AND INJURIES OF BONE. 



General Remarks — Splints — Ringbone and Sidebone — Ossification 

 of the Lateral Cartilages — Bone Spavin — Exostosis oj the Hu- 

 merus and Scapula — Fistula of the Withers — Poll E.vil — Canes 

 of the Jaw — Osteo Sarcoma — Fractures. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



The diseases of bone are not commonly attended by any con- 

 stitutional disturbance, and neither require an examination of 

 general symptoms, nor the adoption of any but local treatment, 

 beyond that attention to the health which is always necessary. 

 They may all be included under the heads of, — 1st. Exostosis, or 

 increased growth of bone. 2d. Caries, or ulceration. 3d Anchy- 

 losis, or unnatural union of two bones, in consequence of exostosis, 

 or caries, or both. 4th. Fractures, or disunion by external force. 

 Malignant diseases of the bone also occur very rarely in the horse, 

 so that it will be scarcely necessary to occupy any space with their 

 description, especially as they are perfectly incurable. 



Exostosis is the result of increased action in the nutrition of 

 the part, and is much more prevalent in young horses than in old. 

 Indeed, after six or seven years of age it is very rarely met with, 

 and never attacks the bones at that age for the first time. It may 

 be recognised by a hard swelling of the part, which in recent cases 

 is painful on pressure ; but sometimes its site cannot be reached 

 with the finger, and the disease can then only be detected by its 

 efi'ects. A blow upon any of the bones, when unprotected by any- 

 thing but skin, will produce inflammation followed by exostosis; 



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