POSTERIOR MEMBER. 309 



tinues to discharge. The latter is then converted into an incurable fissure, often 

 with an eczematous condition of the surrounding parts. 



Fissures on the pastern are more grave than in any other region by reason 

 of the movements and the difficulty of maintaining the wound which they 

 occasion in a proper state of cleanliness. 



The soft tumors which are observed here are synovial dilatations belonging 

 to the great sesamoid sheath, or to the articulation of the fetlock. They appear 

 on each side of the flexor tendons, but usually do not acquire a large volume. 

 However it may be, they accompany windgalls, and only show themselves when 

 the latter are largely developed. 



Linear cicatrices are met on the lateral planes of the pastern, indicating that 

 the animal has been subjected to neurotomy for a chronic disease of the organs 

 contained in the hoof, or for osseous tumors of the coronary region. It is there- 

 fore necessary to ascertain if the malady against which the treatment has been 

 employed has disappeared. 



Exostoses of the first phalanx receive the name of osselets. Some incor- 

 rectly call them ring-bones, this appellation being reserved for the osseous tumors 

 of the coronet or of the complementary fibro-cartilages of the third phalanx. 

 The osselets may or may not cause lameness, according to the restraint which is 

 experienced by the tendons or the articulation ; they generally result from hard 

 usage, and occur more frequently upon the anterior members, upon short and 

 straight pasterns oftener than upon any others. Sometimes they result from 

 blows, and are even the consequence of fractures of the first phalanx, accom- 

 panied by the formation of a callus. 



Finally, let us mention traces of actual cautery, in j^oints or in lines, used as 

 a means of treatment against osseous tumors, indurations of the skin, or all other 

 chronic affections of this region. These blemishes are, however, in most in- 

 stances, only an extension of those which are dependent upon the cauterization 

 of the fetlock or the coronet. When they are present, it is imperative to examine 

 with care the adjoining parts of the member in order to assign to these blemishes 

 their just value in the depreciation they cause to the animal. 



J. — The Coronet. 



Situation; Limits; Anatomical Base.— The coronet, a 

 region rather difficult to delimitate, is situated between the pastern and 

 the hoof. 



Its anatomical base is that part of the second phalanx not contained in the 

 horny case, covered anteriorly by the tendon of the anterior extensor muscle of 

 the phalanges, posteriorly by that of the deep flexor, and laterally by the supe- 

 rior portion of the complementary fibro-cartilage of the third phalanx as well a& 

 by the glomes of the plantar cushion. 



Rounded from side to side on its anterior face, wider below than above in 

 consequence of the presence of the coronary band, and depressed on its posterior 

 face at the level of the concavity which separates the two bulbs of the aforesaid 

 cushion, the coronet also presents on each side the tuberosities which give attach- 

 ment to the lateral ligaments of the first inter-phalangal articulation. It is 



