OSSIFICATIONS. 183 



RINGBONE. 



Ringbone consists in a morbid growth of bone round 

 the circle of the coronet, involving very frequently the 

 pastern bones as well. 



It is usually apparent to the eye, and very tender 

 when touched. It is caused by concussion, or by 

 some external injury, such as in double harness one 

 horse occasionally stepping on the other's coronet when 

 turning. Ringbones are met with in the hind as well 

 as the fore legs, and if the growth of bone is extensive, 

 it renders the joints anchylose, or causes unition. 



The treatment should consist in reducing the inflam- 

 mation as quickly as possible by means of cold swabs 

 applied to the coronet with the addition of cooling 

 treatment, and after having sufficiently removed the 

 inflammation, and otherwise prepared the horse for 

 firing, the operation should be performed and the horse 

 thrown by for three months. 



OSSIFICATION OF THE KNEE. 



This more frequently occurs than is generally sup- 

 posed, and when forming causes intense pain and lame- 

 ness. It usually occurs on the lateral border of the 

 inferior head of the radius or forearm. No treatment 

 is advisable, since joints are very liable to take up 

 violent inflammation, resulting in anchylosis, if sub- 

 jected to powerful blisters. A little rest and cooling- 

 diet will be sufficient to allay the inflammation. 



