THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 281 



5 of complete anchylosis of the fetlock joint, 

 40 do. do. of the pastern joint, 



18 do. do. of the coffin joint. 



The others are either simply incrusted, more particularly around 

 their extremities, with layers of new bone, or are variously de- 

 formed by exostosis of different shapes, many of which are very 

 large, and several of them confined to one side. Upon one of 

 the pastern bones a complete osseous ring is formed, the result 

 of ossification of the flexor perforatus tendon. In nearly all, the 

 disease appears to have taken its rise at, and to have spread from, 

 the pastern joint ; there being but few specimens in which some 

 osseous accretion is not observed around the lower end of the 

 pastern bone and the upper one of the coronet bone ; which is 

 the kind of deposition that gives rise to ringbone.' " 



Treatment of Ringbone. — The old method of treating exos- 

 tosis by fire and blister is fast giving way to a more rational 

 procedure. It has been discovered that there is not really any 

 cure for this malady, more than there is for spavin : if we can 

 relieve the horse from lameness, that is all that can be expected 

 of us ; but even then the disease is not cured — an eyesore still 

 remains, and perhaps a stiff joint. We treat the disease, when 

 first discovered, just as we would a recent splent or spavin — by 

 cooling, evaporating lotions, cold water bandages, &c. ; rest, too, 

 so much disregarded by physicians, and not mentioned by some 

 veterinary authors, is of some importance. Human practitioners 

 realize how much is gained by their patients, when laboring 

 under diseases of the joints, by strict attention to rest ; for by 

 that means inflammatory action is kept within bounds. To con- 

 trol inflammatory action, and by that means lessen pain and irri- 

 tation within or around a joint, should be our first business : from 

 this we have seen great benefit derived. Our business as phy- 

 sicians is to follow in the footsteps of nature, and observe by 

 what means she repairs injuries and performs her cures. We 

 shall find that her cure of spavin and splent consists of anchy- 

 losis ; all that she requires for it is rest : if any thing more 

 be needed, it is revealed to her handmaid, the physician. The 

 parts are hot and inflamed; cooling applications are needed: 

 now they are cold and inactive ; warmth, moisture, and perhaps 

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