RINGBONE. 



26^ 



aig around the pasterns and cartilages, 

 thus derives its name. When the first 

 leposit is on the lower pastern, and on 

 both sides of it, and produced by violent 

 miiammation of the ligaments of the 

 joints, it is recognized by a slight en- 

 largement, or bony tumor on each side 

 of the foot, and just above the coronet, 

 (See /, Fig. 41.) Horses with short 

 upright joints, and vvdth small feet and 

 high action, are ofbenest,' as may be sup- 

 posed, the subjects of this disease, which 

 is the consequence either of concussion 

 or sprain of the pastem-joints. It is 

 also more frequent in the hind foot than 

 the fore, because, from the violent action 

 of the hind legs in propelling the horse 

 forward, the pasterns are more subject 

 to legamentary injury behind than be- 

 fore : yet the lameness is not so great 

 there, because the disease is confined 

 principally to the ligaments, and the 

 bones have not been injured by con- 

 cussion ; while from the position of the 

 fore limbs, there vdll generally be in 

 them injury of the bones to be added 

 to that of the ligaments. In its early 

 stage, and when recognized only by a 

 bony enlargement on both sides of the 

 pastern-joint, or in some few cases on 

 •one side only, the lameness is not very 

 considerable, and it is not impossible to 

 remove the disease by active blistering, 

 or by the application of the cautery ; 

 but there is so much wear and tear in 

 this part of the animal, that the inflam- 

 mation and the disposition to the for- 

 mation of bone rapidly spread. The 

 pasterns first become connected together 

 by bone instead of ligament, and thence 

 results what is called an anchylosed 

 or fixed joint. From this joint the dis- 

 ease proceeds to the cartilages of the foot, 

 and to the union between the lower pas- 

 tern, and the coffin and navicular bones. 

 The motion rf these parts likewise is 



Kg. 41. 



