250 



VETEKINAKY MEDICINE AND 6DKGERY. 



of slioeing heavy draft horses with large calks, which prevent the heels 

 from coming to the ground and thereby deprive them of their natural 

 elastic motion at each tread. When a part intended by nature for motion 

 is long deprived of that action, we frequently find that it becomes solid- 

 ified. This result is often found in joints, when long deprived of motion. 



Others, however, whilst agreeing that high calkings are a frequent 

 jiredisposing cause, think that they produce their injurious effect by caus- 

 ing undue pressure and concussion on the back of the foot and hence excite 

 inflammation in the part. 



Sidebones, in common with exostoses in other parts, sometimes have 

 their origin in hereditary predisposition. 



Symptoms. — A hard swelling at the back of the coronet and heels. 

 Mayliew gives the accompanying illustration of his method of testing for 

 sidebones. Fig. 130. " When the hand thus grasps and forcibly presses 



Fig. 130. 

 Mayhew's test for Sidebones. 



the part, instead of feeling the substances under them yield, the hand is 

 sensible of something hard as stone, or approaching it. This being 

 proof i^ositive the cartilages are ossified, or becoming so." 



There is no cure. If the cartilages are still undergoing change, blister 

 the coronet with ointment of cantharides: 



Cantharides in powder § ss. 



Lard ... 5 iij. 



Digest in a water bath (a tin kettle, which will set inside of a larger one partly 

 filled with water, wiU answer) for two or more hours, and filter whUe hot through 

 blotting paper. Use when cold. 



