CHAPTER XL 



DISEASES OF BONE AND DETECTION OF LAMENESS. 



SIDEBONES. 



(Plate XVIII, fig. 1.) 



Sidebone is an ossification (turning into bone) of the lateral carti- 

 lage. Horses with flat feet and weak quarters arc predisposed to 

 this disease. 



Symptoms. — A hard, unyielding condition of the lateral cartilage, 

 with or without lameness. 



Treatment. — If the horse is lame the first step is to remove the shoe 

 and level the foot; then let the horse stand in a tub of cold water 

 for several hours a day. <>r apply, around the coronet, swabs kept wet 

 with cold water. As soon as the fever has disappeared clip off the 

 hair over the sidebones and blister with this ointment: Biniodide of 

 mercury 1 part, cosmoline 5 parts; mix thoroughly and rub in for ten 

 minutes. Tie up the horse's head so that he can not reach the blis- 

 tered part with his lips, and keep him in this position for twenty-four 

 to forty-eight hours. Then wash off the blister, using warm water and 

 castile soap. The washing must be repeated every day until all the 

 scabs formed by the blister have been removed. During this time keep 

 the horse standing quietly in a clean and level stall. If after ten 

 days he has not improved, firing, followed by a long period of rest, 

 may prove beneficial. 



RINGBONE. 



(Plate WITT. fig. 2.) 



Ringbone is a bony enlargement, more or less prominent, situated 

 upon either the os suffraginis or os coronte, and it may also involve 

 the articular cartilages. 



Causes. — Blows, sprains, jumping, last work on hard roads, and 

 faulty conformation. 



Symptoms. — Lameness is usually the first symptom, and diagnosis 

 is assisted by palpation (feeling) and comparison of the two legs. 

 The enlargement is hard, painless on pressure, and the skin covering 

 is movable. 



Treatment. — The foot must be pared perfectly level and a blister 

 applied to the enlargement and repeated in two weeks if necessary. 



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