294 



rouiili lumdling of the parts; with also a possibility, and indeed 

 probability, of their return after removal, these are the considera- 

 tions which have Influenced our judgment in discarding from our 

 practice and our approval the method of removal by the saw or the 

 chisel, as recommended by certain European veterinarians. 



RINGBONES. 



This peculiar term forms the designation of the exostosis which is 

 found on the coronet, in the digital, and also in the phalangeal region, 

 probably because it extends quite around the coronet, which it encir- 

 cles in the manner of a ring, or perhaps because it often forms upon 

 the back of that bone a regular osseous circlet, through which the 

 back tendons obtain a passage. The dimensions which may be 

 attained by these tumors and the places where they are usually devel- 

 oped have caused their subdivision and classification into three vari- 

 eties with the designations of liigh, middle, and loiv, though much 

 can not be said as to the importance of such distinction. It is true 

 that the ringbone or phalangeal exostosis may be found at various 

 points on the coronet, in one case forming a large bunch on the upper 

 part and quite close to the fetlock joint; then appearing on the very 

 lower portion around the upper border of the foot; seen again on the 

 extreme front of the coronet; or perhaps discovered on the very back 

 of it The shape in which they commonly appear is favorable to 

 their easv discoverr, their form when near the fetlock usually varying 

 too much from the natural outlines of the part when compared with 

 those of the opposite side to admit of error in the matter. 



A ringbone when in front of the coronet, even when not very largely 

 developed, assumes the form of a diffused convex swelling If situ- 

 ated on the lower part, it will form a thick ring, encircling the upper 

 portion of the foot; when found on the posterior part, a small sharp 

 osseous growth somewhat projecting, sometimes on the inside and 

 sometimes on the outside of the coronet, may comprise the entire 



manifestation. i i •,, ^ovUr 



As with splints, ringbones may result from severe labor m eaii} 

 life before the process of ossification has been fully perfected ; or they 

 ma^ be referred to bruises, blows, sprains, or other violence; or inju- 

 ries of tendons, ligaments, or joints may be among the accountable 

 accidents. It is certain that they may commonly be traced to dis- 

 eases and traumatic lesions of the foot, and their appearance may 

 be reasonably anticipated among the sequelae of an abscess of the 

 coronet; or the cause may be a severe contusion resulting from calk^ 

 in- or a deep-punctured wound from picking up a nail or stepping 

 upon any hard object of sufficiently irregular form to penetrate the 



'"^Moreover, a ringbone may claim to possess the character of a leg- 

 acv-it maj' originate in heredity. This is a fact of no little impor- 

 tance in its relation to questions connected with the extensive interests 



