INFLAMMATION OF THE SESAMOID BUKSA. 



285 



involving this bursa. The hard enlargement of sesamoiclitis 

 is an unsoundness ; the soft yielding swelling constituting wind- 

 galls is never reckoned as such. 



This bursa is often the seat of rheumatism. 



There is a speciality about this lameness which Professor 

 Dick was very particular in describing, namely, that a horse, 

 after a period of rest, may trot quite sound for a short time ; 

 that he is liable to fall lame again with very moderate work ; 

 and that the lameness is most obstinate to remove. 



An injury to the inferior part of the suspensory ligament, 

 whether involving it above the bifurcation, or confined to one 

 branch only, may cause sesamoiditis by extension of the inflam- 

 mation; but, as a rule, it is due to sprain of the tendon or 

 injury to the cartilage of incrustation. 



The special treatment consists in 

 the application of a high-heeled shoe, 

 and if the lameness be in a hind 

 limb and very severe, placing the 

 animal in slings, and the constant 

 application of cold water. After the 

 subsidence of the inflammation, the 

 absorption of the enlargement is best 

 effected by the use of Mr. Broad's 

 truss. 



The inferior suspensory ligaments 

 of the sesamoid bones are occasionally 

 sprained, causing great lameness, the 

 animal going on the toe, with swelling 

 in the hollow of the heel. 



In some rare instances, the liga- 

 mentous structures in this part of the 

 limb have been converted into osseous 

 material (osteophytes), forming com- 

 plete rings round the tendons. — (See 

 Photo-lithograph, Plate I., Fig. 4.) 



Fig. 44. — False ring-bone, 

 shown at a, a. 



RING-BONES. 



This term is applied to the osseous deposits which are 

 found upon the upper and lower pastern bones, but with 



