440 ' DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Symptoms. — The first symptom of an actively developed ringbone 

 is the appearance of a lameness more or less acute. If the bony 

 tumor forms on the side or upper parts of the large pastern, its 

 growth is generally unattended with acute inflammatory action, and 

 consequently produces no lameness or evident fever. These are called 

 " false " ringbones. But when the tumors form on the whole circum- 

 terence of the ankle, or simply in front under the extensor tendon, or 

 behind under the flexor tendons, or if they involve the joints between 

 the two pastern bones, or between the small pastern and the coffin 

 bone, the lameness is always severe. These constitute the true ring- 

 bone. Besides lameness, the ankle of the affected limb presents more 

 or less heat, and in many instances a rather firm, though limited, 

 swelling of the deeper tissues over the seat of the inflammatory proc- 

 ess. The lameness of ringbone is characteristic in that the heel is 

 first placed on the ground when the disease is in a fore leg, and the 

 ankle is kept as rigid as possible. In the hind leg, however, the toe 

 strikes the ground first, when the ringbone is high on the ankle, just 

 as in health, but the ankle is maintained in a rigid position. If the 

 bony growth is under the front tendon of the hind leg, or if it 

 involves the coffin joint, the heel is brought to the ground first. In 

 the early stages of the disease it is not always easy to diagnose ring- 

 bone, but when the deposits have reached some size they can be felt 

 and seen as well. 



The importance of a ringbone depends on its seat and often on its 

 size. If it interferes with the joints or with the tendons it may cause 

 an incurable lameness, even though small. If it is on the sides of the 

 large pastern, the lameness generally disappears as soon as the tumor 

 has reached its growth and the inflammation subsides. Even when 

 the pastern joint is involved, if complete anchylosis results, the 

 patient may recover from the lameness with simply an imperfect 

 action of the foot remaining, due to the stiff joint. 



TreatWjent. — Before the bony growth has commenced the inflam- 

 matory process may be cUt short by the use of cold baths and wet 

 bandages, followed by one or more blisters. If the bony deposits 

 have begun, the firing iron should always be used. Even when the 

 tumors are large and the pastern joint involved, firing often hastens 

 the process of anchylosis and should always be -tried. 



When the lower joint is involved, or if the tumor interferes A\ith 

 the action of the tendons, recovery is not to be expected. In many 

 of these latter cases, however, the animal may be made serviceable 

 by proper shoeing. If the patient walks with the toe on the ground, 

 the foot should be shod with a high-heeled shoe and a short toe. 

 On the other hand, if he walks on the heel, a thick-toed and thin- 

 heeled shoe must be Avorn. 



