SUPERFICIAL EXAMINATION 



7 



excrescence called the "ergot," surrounded by a tuft of long hairs. 

 Subjacent to the skin and tendons in this position are the two sesamoid 

 bones, the location of which may be decided by the fact that they 

 move slightly towards the middle line upon the application of pressure 

 to the outer surface of each with the thumb and finger. 



Immediately below the sesamoid bone on either side of the limb 

 is a depression in which the edge of the perforans tendon may be felt, 

 and which is the seat of inferior plantar, or more correctly digital, 

 neurectomy. 



The region of the pastern should next be grasped with the hand, 

 in order that the observer may familiarise himself with the conformation 

 of the long pastern bone or os suffraginis. 



It will be found helpful if, whilst making this examination, the 

 student has a dried bone near, in order that he may compare the buttress- 

 like processes at the upper extremity ot the bone with the elevations 

 formed by them in the limb. The palmar aspect of the hand should 

 be passed over this region several times, until the student has quite 

 satisfied himself by comparison with the dried bone that these elevations 

 are normal. The next point of importance is the position of the pastern 

 joint, which will be found about an inch to an inch and a half above 

 the line of junction of the skin and hoof This joint is covered 

 anteriorly by the flattened-out tendon of the extensor pedis. There is 

 no anterior common ligament, so that the tendon is next the joint and 

 gives support to the synovial membrane. Posteriorly the joint is well 

 protected by the fibro-cartilaginous pad which projects upwards from 

 the superior extremity of the back of the os coronas. According to 

 Hunting's classification of ringbones, this joint is the seat of the class 

 designated by the term " high," the " low ringbones " being those which 

 affect the corono-pedal joint. The so-called false ringbones are placed 

 on the suff^raginis or corona?, but do not affect the joints. By carefully 

 manipulating the top of the hoof, the upper borders of the lateral 

 cartilages will be felt. These cartilages, so far as they project above 



