352 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
attempting their treatment. Though crepitation is not always easy 
to detect, the excessive lameness, the soreness on pressure, the ina- 
bility to carry weight, the difficulty experienced in raising the foot, 
all these suggest, as the solution of the question of diagnosis, the 
fracture of the coronet, with the accompanying realization of the 
fact that there is yet, by reason of the situation of the member, im- 
mobilized as it is by its structure and its surroundings, room left 
for a not unfavorable prognosis. Only a slight manipulation will be 
needed in the treatment of this lesion. To render the immobility 
of the region more fixed, to support the bones in their position by 
bandaging, and to establish forced immobility of the entire body 
with the slings is usually all that is required. Ringbone, being a 
common sequela of the reparative process, must receive due atten- 
tion subsequently. One of the severest complications liable to be 
encountered is an immobile joint (anchylosis). Neurectomy of the 
median nerve may relieve lameness after a fracture of the pha- 
langes. 
FRACTURES OF THE THIRD PHALANX (OS PEDIS). 
These lesions may result from a penetrating street nail, or follow 
plantar or median neurectomy. In the latter instance it is caused by 
the animal setting the foot down carelessly and too violently, and 
partly due to degeneration of bone tissue which follows nerving. 
Though these fractures are not of very rare occurrence, their recog- 
nition is not easy, and there is more of speculation than of certainty 
pertaining to their diagnosis. The animal is very lame and spares 
the injured foot as much as possible, sometimes resting it upon the 
toe alone and sometimes holding it from the ground. The foot is 
very tender, and the exploring pinchers of the examining surgeon 
cause much pain. During the first 24 hours there is no increased 
pulsation in the digital and plantar arteries, but on the second day 
it is apparent. — . 
There is nothing to encourage a favorable prognosis, and a not 
unusual termination is an anchylosis with either the navicular bone 
or the coronet. ‘ 
No method of treatment needs to be suggested here, the hoof per- 
forming the office of retention unaided. Local treatment by baths 
and fomentations will do the rest. It may be months before there is 
any mitigation of the lameness. 
An ultimate recovery depends to a great extent, upon whether the 
other foot can support the weight during the healing process without 
causing a drop sole in the supporting foot. 
FRACTURE OF THE SESAMOID BONES. 
This lesion has been considered by veterinarians, erroneously, we 
think, as one of rare occurrence. We believe it to be more frequent 
