THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 21 



conscience in the practice of so absurd and cruel an operation. 

 No ; the nature of the disease, and the changes which the parts 

 undergo, from exostosis to anchylosis, (see article Ringbone,) are 

 so clearly demonstrated in works of authority, and so well illus- 

 trated on dissection, that no doubt exists in the minds of the 

 faculty regarding the disease. 



There are many other kindred errors existing in like works, 

 but our limits prevent their exposure ; we have chosen to allude 

 to this particular case, because we have within a few days seen 

 an article in one of our most respectable journals, recommending 

 also the extraction of " the bladder, by which the ringbone is fed" 

 for its cure, and that every three out of four cases operated on 

 were cured. 



What they mean by cure possibly amounts to the same thing 

 as when speaking of the cure of spavin, that the lameness after a 

 time disappears. (See Spavin.) The freedom from lameness in 

 some cases of ringbone results from the superior and inferior pap- 

 tern bones becoming united, (anchylosed,) thus the action of the 

 joint is forever destroyed. This, forsooth, is the cure ! When 

 anchylosis can be cured, we shall be able to boast of reversing 

 nature's laws. 



Some of our readers may think that there is no practical bene- 

 fit derived from allusions to the unscientific customs of past days. 

 But when we come to consider that the veterinary art has, in this 

 country, progressed in a circle ; that our domestic animals are still 

 the subjects of misguided notions peculiar to the dark ages; that 

 cruelties which have had their day of reproach are now being 

 enacted over again, even under our own eyes ; this is our apology 

 for alluding to the past, so that we may improve in the future. 



We live in an age when the little we know of the veterinary 

 art is a mere item of what we should know ; for such knowledge 

 can be made an instrument in the bands of philanthropic men for 

 the benefit of all classes of creation. 



The important discoveries made of late in Europe, in the sev- 

 eral departments of veterinary medicine, are indicative of the age 

 in which we live. Americans must not be behind the age ; their 

 interest, pride, and patriotism should arouse them to a sense of 

 their indifference, and consequent dependence on other nations 



