292 DISEASES OF THE HOBSE. 



action doubtless contributes in an important degree to the perfect per- 

 formance of the functions of that part of the leg. These organs are, 

 however, liable to undergo a process of disease which results in an 

 entire change in their properties, if not in their shape, by which thej' 

 acquire a character of hardness resulting from the deposit of earthy 

 substance in the intimate structure of the cartilage, and it is this 

 change, when its consummation has been effected, that brings to our 

 cognizance the diseased growth which has received the designation of 

 sidebones. They are situated on one or both sides of the leg, bulging 

 above the superior border of the hoof in the form of two hard bodies 

 composed of ossified cartilage, irregularly square in shape and un- 

 yielding under the pressure of the fingers. 



Cause. — Sidebones may be the result of a low inflammatory condi- 

 tion or of an acute attack as well, or may be caused by sprains, bruises, 

 or blows ; or they may have their rise in certain diseases affecting the 

 foot proper, such as corns, quarter cracks, or quittor. The deposit of 

 calcareous matter in the cartilage is not always uniform, the base of 

 that organ near its line of union with the coffinbone being in some 

 cases its limit, while at other times it is diffused throughout its sub- 

 stance, the size and prominence of the growth varying much in 

 consequence. 



Symptoms. — It would naturally be inferred that the amount of 

 interference with the proper functions of the hoof which must result 

 from such a pathological change would be proportioned to the size of 

 the tumor, and that as the dimensions increased, the resulting lame- 

 ness would be the greater in degree. This, however, is not the fact. 

 A small tumor, while in a condition of acute inflammation during the 

 formative stage, may cripple a patient more severely than a much 

 larger one in a later stage of the disease. In any case the lameness is 

 never wanting, and with its intermittent character may usually be 

 detected when the animal is cooled off after labor or exercise. The 

 class of animals in which this feature of the disease is most frequently 

 witnessed is that of the heavy draft horse, and others similarly em- 

 ployed. There is a wide margin of difference in respect to the degrees 

 of severity which may characterize different cases of sidebone. While 

 one may be so slight as to cause no inconvenience, another may de- 

 velop elements of danger which may involve the necessity of severe 

 surgical interference. 



Treatment. — The curative treatment should be similar to the pro- 

 phylactic, and such means should be used as would tend to prevent 

 the deposit of bony matters by checking the acute inflammation which 

 causes it. The means recommended are the free use of the cold bath : 

 frequent soaking of the feet, and at a later period treatment with 

 iodine, either by painting the surface with the tincture several times 

 daily or bv applying an ointment made by mixing 1 dram of the 



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