LAMENESS. FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 341 



in tm fonn which they long nftenvard preserve. For the most 

 part, chronic disease and lameness are not marked by any violent 

 eymptoms, nor are they accompanied with much pain, ii'lhe hor«e 

 be kept at rest. 



Suppose the disease to have first made its appearance, the parts 

 will be hot and painful; but the idea of curing ring-be. ne— that 

 is, restoring the parts to their normal condition — is really ab.-urd^ 

 for, when once the bones are anchylosed, the joint never can j)er- 

 form its natural function again. The new growths (exostosis), 

 and the changes of structure that occur within and about the 

 region of disease, are a part of Nature's own handiwork, in view 

 of strengtheuing a weak bone or joint. Our object in the treat- 

 ment, therefore, is merely to aid Nature. Excuse the animal from 

 work, and apply sedative lotions (cold-water dressings) so long aa 

 the acute stage lasts; then, when the case passes into the chronic 

 stage, apply counter-irritants for a week or two, and, finally, turn 

 the patient out to grass. The following will be found an eflective 

 sedative lotion : 



No. 55. Spirits of camphor 2 oz. 



Fluid extract of wormwood 1 oz. 



Vinegar 5 oz- 



To be applied twice dailv. 



The following is an excellent counter-irritant for ring-bone is 



lia chronic stage : 



No. 56. Cod-liver oil | equal parts. 



Kerosene ) 



Apply once or twice daily, until a crop of pustules appear ; then 

 omit the ai)plication, and reapply it at the expiration of two or 

 tliree intermitting periods. 



The remedies used by veterinary surgeons generally, are oil of 

 cantharides, acetate of cantharides, blistering ointment, ointment 

 of biuiodide of mercury, and, lastly, the actual cautery, or heated 

 iron. I have tried all except the latter, which savors too much 

 of barbarity, and I never found any thing to equal the prf paratioo 

 iiei-e recommended— namely, cod-liver oil and kerosene. 



Navicularthritis (Navicular Disease). 



Navicularthritis is an acute disease, supposed to be confined to 

 the navicular region, or joint, which is in the posterior part of t^ 



