118 



VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



tion ot the tendons and sesamoidean ligaments can be given' 

 no better treatment than a thorough line-firing extending- 

 •from some distance above the fetlock to the middle of the 

 pastern. (Fig. 70.) Puncture-firing is much less effectual for 

 sesamoidean lesions. 



For Ringbone. — The treatment of ringbone, by firing, is 

 always more or less unsatisfactory, especially when the 

 osteophytes engage the coronet or extend beneath the hoof. 

 In these events nothing seems to help them until the inflam- 

 matory process has spontaneously subsided,' then firing or 

 any other treatment is often unwittingly credited with the re- 

 sults. Puncture-firing is the appropriate form of treatment, 



Figs. 71 and 72— Specimens of "Bowed" Tendons, in which Line 

 Firing is Indicated. 



but as much of the diseased bone is hidden beneath the coro- 

 net and hoof, its effects are limited indeed. The osteitis of 

 ringbone continues in spite of firing, in spite of blistering, in 

 spite of rest, in spite of special shoeing, and in spite of all 

 of them combined. The lameness of ringbone may finally 

 diminish or even entirely disappear, but the cure can seldom 

 ever be attributed to the treatment administered for its relief. 

 Firing for ringbone, while appropriate enough as a step 

 in the right direction, is well known to generally end in dis- 

 appointment. It is practiced because there is no better treat- 

 ment available. In order to take advantage of every possible 

 helpful expedient, the firing is preceded by the application of 

 a roller-motion shoe, raised slightly at the heels and sue- 



