A SPRAIN OR STRAIN. 



203 



from side to side. The bursa? are often the seat of rheumatism. 

 The pain is very obstinate, for a time subsiding and then reap- 

 pearing. The special treatment consists in the application of a 

 high-heeled shoe, placing the animal in slings if the lameness be 

 severe, and the use of cold water. 



RING BONE. 



This is the term applied to a ring of osseous material extend- 

 ing around the limb just above the hoof. Ring bones are of two 

 kinds, true and false. A false ring bone does not involve the 

 articulation. The true ring bone involves important articula- 

 tions, and is an unsoundness in every sense of the word. Ring 

 bone may occur in any limb, and I have seen it in all four limbs 

 at one time. The causes of ring bone are hereditary, structural, 

 incidental, and rheumatoid. Hereditary predisposition is suffi- 

 ciently proven and acknowledged. This subject has been thor- 

 oughly dealt with in the chapter on breeding. The structural 

 tendency is manifested in horses with upright pasterns. Hard 

 work is probably the most common of all exciting causes. Im- 

 proper shoeing, blows, and kicks may j^roduce ring bone. 



Symptoms. — There will be an enlargement, which is soft in 

 the early stages of the disease. Considerable heat is present, 

 and there is more or less lameness, which may be increased by 

 flexing the joint and trotting the animal. The lameness pre- 

 cedes the deposition of bony matter, and is due to inflammation 

 in the bones. 



"When ring bone is situated in the fore extremity, unless the 

 deposit be on the posterior aspect, the patient puts his heel to 

 the ground first; but when in the hind limb, in the upper part of 

 the pastern, except it be in front, the toe touches the ground 

 first. When locater^ in the lower portion of the pastern the 

 heel comes down first. When in the hind limb the animal 

 uses great care in bringing forward the foot. 



Treatment. — If located in the fore leg, and the animal puts 

 the heel down first, a thin-heeled bar shoe must be put on the 



