20 SOUNDNESS IN HORSES. 



cases of rheumatic disease of the hock-joint, it is difficult 

 to prove its existence ; for its presence in the horse is 

 not characterised by any very distinctive symptoms. In 

 doubtful cases, we might, as a rule, ascribe the un- 

 soundness, simply, to lameness. 



Binghone. — This consists of a bony formation which 

 involves either the pastern-joint, the coffin-joint, or both 

 articulations. The term ^^ false ringbone " is applied to a 

 bony deposit on the long pastern bone, provided, that it 

 does not interfere with either joint. *' AYhen very large, 

 it may cause lameness. As a rule, however, it never 

 gives inconvenience to the animal, and is not always to 

 be looked upon as a cause of unsoundness. It may be 

 compared to a splint thrown out for some beneficial 

 purpose" {Williams). Such a bony formation should, I 

 venture to say, be regarded with grave suspicion ; for, in 

 the majority of cases, it must, necessarily, be in dangerous 

 proximity to either joint, tendon, or ligament. 

 Bingivorm, ijarasitic. 



Roaring. — " In practice, roaring is always very properly 

 considered an unsoundness " (01ii:)hant's Law of Horses), 

 I, here, assume, without the slightest fear of contradiction, 

 that the disease, or alteration of structure, whatever it 

 may be, of which this noise is a symptom, is an un- 

 soundness. The following cases bear on this subject 

 Bassett v. Collis* (14th Dec. 1810).— "Lord Ellen- 

 * CampLell's Eeports of Cases at Nisi Piius, vol. 2, p. 523. 



