DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE LEGS. 



201 



■which they involve; due to hereditary predisposition, rheumatism, or ac- 

 cidental injury. Long pasterns are most subject to ring bones. 



Symptoms. — The gait of a horse lame from this cause is character- 

 istic. If in the fore extremity, except the deposit be on the posterior 

 aspect, the patient puts his heel to the ground first; but when in the 

 hind pastern, the toe touches the ground first always when it is situated 

 in the upper position, except it be in front; when in the lower position, 

 the heel comes down first. From this peculiarity in putting the foot to 

 the ground, it is apt to be confounded with laminitis, seedy-toe, and in- 



FlG. 103. 

 False ring bone shown at 

 a, a. 



Fig. 104. 

 High ring bone. 



•'■^''^ 



Fig. 105. 

 Incipient ring bone begin- 

 ning at tlie lower extrem- 

 ity of the OS suff raginis. 



flammation of the coronary band. It differs from laminitis by the ab- 

 sence of pain at the toe, freedom from fever, etc., and by the heat being 

 confined to the upper part of the foot only. 



An examination of the foot will determine Avhether there be a seedy- 

 toe or a sand-crank in its front; and the absence of the striated appear- 

 ance of the wall of the foot will distinguish it from inflammation of the 

 coronary substance. 



