174 The Horse Farrier. 



slightly concave, corresponding as nearly as possible to the 

 form and size of the hock ; by means of a few stitches, 

 affix two pieces of tape or linen, so as to form an X ; 

 each piece must be long enough to encircle the joint two 

 or three times ; after dipping the sponge in the mixture, 

 it must be applied to the inside of the hock, and there 

 secured, and afterwards kept constantly moist. Dr. 

 Spooner says : If any external inflammation is present, 

 we cannot do better than commence by abstracting blood 

 from the vein above, and use cooling applications to the 

 hock ; after which we may resort to the blister, or seton. 

 We have succeeded and failed with both. 



WI^DGALLS. 



The bursal capsules, located just above the fetlock, as 

 well as in the vicinity of the hock, secrete a synovial fluid, 

 corresponding to what some persons term u joint oil," 

 the use of which is to facilitate motion. In cases of this 

 character, either the walls of the capsule are augmented 

 in bulk — or the synovial secretion is inordinate, or else 

 its flow is obstructed. Counter irritants, bandage, fric- 

 tion, and regular exercise are the best remedies, but these 

 sometimes fail. 



RIXGBOJSTE. 



Bingbone is a dej>osit of bony matter in one of the 

 pasterns, and usually near the joint. It rapidly spreads, 

 and involves not only the pastern bones, but the cartila- 

 ges of the foot, and spreading around the pasterns and 

 cartilages, thus derives its name. Ringbone is sometimes 

 hereditary ; though it is usually occasioned by a strain 

 taken in curvetting, bounding turns, and violent gallop- 

 ing or racing. A coarse or half-bred, fleshy, or bony- 

 legged horse, with short and upright pasterns is the ordi- 

 nary subject of this disease. 



The treatment will be similar to spavin, in reality there 

 is no cure, but the lameness may be in a great measure 

 removed by cooling applications, cold water bandage, lin- 

 iments, and above all, give the horse rest. 



Prof. Spooner says : The best treatment for ringbones 

 after the inflammation has been in great measure removed 



