THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 401 



sometimes it involves only the lower pastern bone. The 

 lateral or side ligaments are those that are oftenest or 

 soonest affected ; ringbone is then discovered, in its earliest 

 state, by a rounded, hard projection on each side imme- 

 diately above the coronet. The hind legs are not so subject 

 to ringbone as the fore legs. 



Ringbone is always accompanied by lameness at the com- 

 mencement ; but the extent of the after lameness depends 

 on the degree in which bony tumour interferes with the 

 action of the joint. In some cases it goes off altogether, 

 particularly in the hind feet, where the concussion is not 

 so great, and the inflammation is not generally so intense. 

 In the fore feet, which support more of the weight of the 

 body, and are liable to severer injury, the bony deposit is 

 usually greater, and commonly involves one or both of the 

 pastern joints. Lameness, and of an incurable nature, is 

 the result if sidebones also exist, or the ring should extend 

 under the cartilages ; and it not unfrequently happens that 

 the coffin-joint, being surrounded by unyielding bone, is 

 entirely lost. 



Treatment — Local bleeding (from the toe), and evapo- 

 rating lotions should be first employed ; the inflammation 

 being removed, setons should be inserted, or the part should 

 be stimulated. All, however, will often fail, for the inces- 

 sant action of the parts, and the pressure on them, render 

 it very difficult to arrest the progress of the inflammation. 

 In a confirmed case of ringbone, especially when the joint 

 is lost, it would be the height of cruelty to subject the poor 

 animal to the useless torture of the iron ; and when side- 

 bones and ringbones exist together, neurotomy is the only 

 means to afford relief. 



GROGGINESS — KNUCKLING. 



This is a frequent tremulous motion of the fore leg, with 

 a bowing of the knee, and some degree of knuckling of the 

 fetlock ; while upon the slightest tap behind the knee, the 

 joint yields. There is an evident loss of power and energy 

 in the limb ; and though, in some measure, a natural defect, 

 it is often a proof that the horse has been hardly worked, 

 and it is probable that he can endure little more exertion. 



The various structures which compose the limb have 

 been overtaxed ; they have become weak, their debility 



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