169 



In addition to heredity as a factor in the causation of this disease, it has been 

 noticed that horses with straight upright pastern bones are more Hkely to 

 contract ring-bone. 



In cases of ring-bone, it is often impossible to do very much to alleviate 

 the lameness ; but it is advisable to fire deeply in the first instance, and 

 then blister smartly with ointment of biniodide of mercur>^, with the object 

 of promoting the absorption of the deposit, or of causing cessation of the 

 inflammation. 



Neurotomy has been recommended for chronic cases of ring-bone ; but 

 we have not much faith in its value, although in some instances it is said to 

 have proved successful. 



