i66 



In hopeless cases, neurotomy may be performed as a last resource. It 

 lias been found that this operation is often more successful, in the relief of 

 lameness from side-bones, than when the result of navicular disease. The 

 French veterinary surgeons sometimes excise diseased lateral cartilages ; 

 but this operation is not one of much practical value. 



RING-BONE. 



By ring-bone we understand a bony or osseous deposit of an inflammatory 

 origin, formed upon the upper and lower pastern bones. This disease 

 generally affects the hind pasterns, but may be found on the fore ones. 

 There are two kinds of ring-bone, named " true " and "false" respectively. 

 By a false ring-bone, we mean a bony growth which is developed on one or 

 both of the ridges situated at the back of the long pastern bone. This form 

 of ring-bone does not always cause lameness ; but, when large, not 

 uncommonly affects the progression of the animal. Although, according to 

 Mr. Fearnley, "ring-bone is an unsoundness which cannot for a moment be 

 regarded in any mitigated light ;" and, although whei-ever situated, it very 

 commonly affects progression by impeding the action of the ligaments of the 

 joints or of the tendons, it is, nevertheless, when of the^ false kind, not 

 invariably to be regarded as an unsoundness. 



In the figure A is the long pastern bone, B is the short one, and C is 

 the pedal bone ; X shows a false ring-bone. 



