292 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



acquire a character of hardness resulting- from the deposit of earthy 

 substance in the intimate structure of the cartihiire, and it is this 

 change, when its consummation has been effected, that l)rings to our 

 cognizance the diseased growth which lias received the designation of 

 sidehones. They are situated on one or both sides of the leg, bulging 

 above the superior border of the hoof in the form of two hard bodies 

 composed of ossified cartilage, irregularly scpiare in shape and unyield- 

 ing under the pressure of the fingers. 



Cause. — Sidebones maj^ be the result of a low inflammatory condi- 

 tion or of an acute attack as well, or may be caused l^y sprains, bruises, 

 or blows; or they may have their rise in certain diseases affecting the 

 foot proper, such as corns, quarter cracks, or cjuittor. The deposit of 

 calcareous matter in the cartilage is not always uniform, the base of that 

 organ near its line of union with the coffinbone being in some cases 

 its limit, while at other times it is diffused throughout its substance, 

 the size and prominence of the grovvth varying much in consequence. 



Symptoms. — It would naturally be inferred that the amount of inter- 

 ference with the proper functions of the hoof which must result from 

 such a pathological change would be proportioned to the size of the 

 tumor, and that as the dimensions increased, the resulting lameness 

 would be the greater in degree. This, however, is not the fact. A 

 small tumor, while in a condition of acute inflammation during the 

 formative stage, ma}^ cripple a patient more severelj^ than a much 

 larger one in a later stage of the disease. In any case the lameness is 

 never wanting, and with its intermittent character may usualU^ be 

 detected when the animal is cooled off after labor or exercise. The class 

 of animals in which this feature of the disease is most frequently wit- 

 nessed is that of the heavy draft horse, and others similarly empIoA'cd. 

 There is a wide margin of difference in respect to the degrees of 

 severity which may characterize different cases of sidebone. While 

 one may be so slight as to cause no inconvenience, another ma}' develop 

 elements of danger which may involve the necessity of severe sui'gical 

 interference. 



Treatment. — The curative treatment should be similar to the pro- 

 ph3iactic, and such means should l)e used as would tend to prevent 

 the deposit of bony matters by checking the acute inflammation which 

 causes it. The means recommended are the free use of the cold bath; 

 frequent soaking of the feet, and at a later period treatment with 

 iodine, either b}- painting the surface with the tincture several tmies 

 daih% or by applj^ng an ointment made b}' mixing 1 dram of the 

 crystals with 2 ounces of A^aseline, rubbed in once a da}' for several 

 days. If this proves to be ineffective, a Spanish -fly blister, to which 

 a few grains of biniodide of mercury have been added, will, in a 

 majority of cases, effect the desired result and remove the lameness. 

 If, finally, this treatment is ineffectual, the case must be relegated to 



