35 



blister : and, if necessary, follow up with the plaster bandage or firing, 

 setoning, &c. Occasionally, great benefit is derived from cutting- 

 through the skin and dividing the periosteum with a suitable knife. 

 Should the bony deposit become carious — worm-eaten — as it some- 

 times does, cutting down on the part and scraping with a bone spoon, 

 may have a good eff"ect. The great point in the treatment is to hurry 

 on the inflammatory process to the deposition of healthy bony matter, 

 and for this purpose nothing beats the hot iron prongs. 



no. Sore Shins. See Periostitis, pay, 70. 



111. Ring Bone. — x\s in splint, there is in Ring Bone, inflamma- 

 tion of the bony structures, and deposition of bony material, with 

 enlargement, varying in size. It is found on the large and small 

 pastern bones, and may be due to an injury, such as a nip in casting 

 a young colt and tying too tight with a hard rope, or from constitutional 

 causes, such as a rheumatic and other hereditary tendencies. It may 

 be considered under two heads — High and Low. Low Ring bone is 

 seen just above the top of the hoof, and is generally largest at the 

 sides, while High Ring bone is found a little higher up. Both forms, 

 when not early and properly attended to, may end in Caries and 

 Anchylosis of the upper and lower pastern bones (See Plate VII., 

 No. 2.) or of the lower and cofiin bone. Ring Bone occurs more 

 frequently in the light-legged horses and half-breds, also more often 

 in the hind pastern than the fore, and is accompanied by stiffness and 

 lameness, but the pain and enlargement of the parts are the most 

 pronounced symptoms. 



112. The Treatment of Ring Bone is mainly unsatisfactory. Give 

 rest, and try to arrest the progress of the inflammation, and prevent 

 the deposition of bony matter ; and for this there is nothing better than 

 a bandage of meadow hay, rolled up nicely and put round the leg 

 (but not too tightly), and kept constantly soaked with cold water, 

 until the inflammation is reduced. Follow this up with blisters and 

 firing, the hot prongs preferred, assisted by the application of a shoe 

 suitable to the case, according to the form of lameness and parts 

 affected. 



