280 DISEASES OF THE IIOIISE. 



which may be repeated according to the action it produces and 

 the benefit it occasions." — Ed.] 



["Bony tumours sometimes form in various parts of the cannon 

 bone, but, though often large and consequently offensive to the 

 eye, they rarely produce lameness. They are more frequent 

 with hunters than with other horses, and are often, but not 

 always, produced by blows in leaping. The use of the iodine 

 ointment forms the best treatment. Still more frequently we 

 find ossific depositions round the fetlock joint : the most usual 

 situation is by the side of the sesamoid bones. Sometimes we 

 find these enlargements on the anterior part of the joint, or on 

 the lateral portions anterior to the suspensory ligament. These 

 swellings frequently exist without injury, but they are some- 

 times the cause of severe lameness. 



''Treatment. — When these enlargements are produced by 

 strains of the ligaments, they are much more serious than when 

 they come on gradually without any ostensible cause. In the 

 former case, it may be prudent to blister or fire the leg ; in the 

 latter, we should recommend the continued application of the 

 iodine ointment." — Ed.] 



Ringbone. 



[" Ringbone is a deposition of ossific matter on the pastern 

 bones, which, from frequently extending round them, derives its 

 common appellation. It exists in various degrees, sometimes 

 being very slight, and in others surrounding the bones, and 

 altogether obscuring their real form. Ringbones arise either 

 from concussion of the joint or a strain of its ligaments ; they 

 may either be rapidly produced by a severe strain, or may, as 

 they usually do, come on slowly. It often happens that a horse 

 is lame, and it is somewhat difficult to discover the seat of his 

 lameness ; but, after a while, a ringbone commonly forms. 

 Horses with short upright joints are disposed to this disease 

 from the concussion to which they are liable, and more par- 

 ticularly if their action is high ; and I have also found that 

 horses with particularly small feet are likewise, from the same 

 reason, more exposed to these ossifications than others with 

 larger feet. The hind legs are subject to ringbones as well as 

 the fore, but not so frequently ; and when they appear behind, 

 they are usually found on the side of the pastern bones, and 

 arise generally from some strain of the ligaments. 



" Treatment. — Should there be any inflammatory appearances, 

 as there generally arc, we should take care to remove them 

 before we have recourse to stimulating remedies. For this end, 

 we should employ topical bleeding from the toe or the coronet, 



