496 ANCHYLOSIS. 



motion, inflammation is excited, and an osseous deposit 

 ensues. Ring-bones are, however, not uncommon among 

 colts at the time of being backed, from the ruinous weight 

 of a heavy rider over rough or ploughed ground ; or from 

 their being thrown on their haunches during their training, 

 which eftbrt is, perhaps, the chief reason that they are 

 more common to the hind than to the fore feet. This 

 disease is likewise to be met with among yearlings that have 

 never been backed. 



The treatment of a ring-bone resolves itself into attempts 

 to reduce any considerable inflammation which may exist ; 

 poulticing around the foot, until it be abated. After this, 

 blister the coronet, and keep up the action of the blister for 

 a month. If the ring-bone be still in the same state after 

 this period, again blister it. 



Exostoses of the Coffin Bone is still more common ; in- 

 deed the coffin bones of old horses are seldom seen without 

 them : it is equally common to see the lateral cartilages 

 more or less absorbed, and their place supplied by bone. 

 It is curious to observe the vast varieties in these deposits ; 

 in some, the coffin is increased to a grotesque form, totally 

 distinct from the original. In a few, the absorption is 

 greater than the deposit, but this is not frequent. Can we, 

 therefore, wonder at the stiffness and disinclination to 

 unusual exertion in old horses ? or can we be surprised that 

 these affections are so irremediable in them ? 



ANCHYLOSIS. 



When ossific matter is deposited within or upon the car- 

 tilaginous extremities of bones, or upon the capsular and 

 investing ligaments, so as totally to destroy the motion of a 

 joint, it is called anchylosis. This tendency is manifested in 

 a very great degree in the horse. Few of the joints of the 

 animal escape anchylosis, as none of his bones are out of 

 the ordinary reach of exostosis. The joints of the spinal 

 column, particularly of the dorsal and lumbar vertebrae, are 

 very frequently the seat of this affection, which seems to be 

 occasioned by heavy weights. It is anchylosis which renders 

 old horses stiff', and in some instances unwilling to lie down, 

 or when down averse to rising up again. 



