158 



NON-SPECIFIC OR GENERAL DISEASES 



of the animal's gait and the portion of the wall that strikes the 

 part, and by practising intelligent methods of shoeing. Slight 

 injuries should be treated by the application of antiseptic pow- 

 ders. The treatment for injuries to the periosteum is the same 

 as that recommended for splints. As a last resort boots and 

 button rings may be used for the purpose of preventing serious 

 injury to that part which is struck by the foot. 



„_ Ring-bone. — Chronic in- 

 flammation of the articula- 

 tion between the first and sec- 

 ond bones of the digit is 

 temied ring-bone (Fig. 35). 

 Not all ring-bones involve the 

 articular surfaces. The peri- 

 articular, or false ring-bone, is 

 a chronic inflammation of the 

 bone near the articular sur- 

 face. The bony enlargement 

 varies in size. It may form a 

 ring encircling the part, or it 

 may be limited to the lateral 

 surface of the joint. The 

 bony enlargement may be so 

 small as to be detected only 

 by a careful examination. 

 Ring-bone may occur on any 

 of the feet, but it is said to be more common in the front feet. 

 The predisposing cause of ring-bone is faulty conformation. 

 Long, weak pasterns that are predisposed to strains, upright 

 pasterns, especially if small, and exposed to concussion and jar- 

 ring, and crooked feet that distribute the weight on the part 

 irregularly are important factors in the production of ring-bones. 

 The external causes are sprains or any injury to the region. 

 Lameness is nearly always present. The degree of lameness 



Fig. 35. — (A) Bones of digit, showing (C) 

 side bones, and (D) ring-bones, and (B) nor- 

 mal bones of digit. 



