AND HIS DISEASES. 17 



found to be bone, is observed round the pastern-joint ; it 

 may be confined to the sides, or it may encase the whole of 

 the joint. It is attended at first with but a slight stiff- 

 ness, which gradually increases to a considerable amount of 

 lameness, and, like all other joint lamenesses, is worst at 

 starting.. 



Treatment. — In the early stages, when the heat, pain, and 

 swelling are noticed, cold applications, with rest, laxative diet, 

 &c., may check its progress ; but, when it is of any standing, 

 blisters, repeated active blistering, or, better still, the judicious 

 application of the firing-iron, are the most effectual means of 

 arresting it. The idea of " cutting out the feeders " by re- 

 moving the horny excrescence at the fetlock tuft, is too absurd 

 to require remark. No man of any sense, or with any feel- 

 ings of humanity, will ever submit his , horse to the brutal 

 operation of "cutting the ring-bone," as most quacks prac- 

 tise in this country ; which consists in taking a pointed jack- 

 knife, and hammering the sharp point downward, in three 

 or four places, not unfrequently severing the ligaments and 

 laying the joint open, and in many cases setting up so much 

 irritative fever as to carry off the poor victim. We cannot 

 reprobate such brutalities too much . Neu rotomy is recom- 

 , TTiPTir^pdjTTi ih wft have not found it answer in ail ca^es. tnoug JET 

 we think in bad cases it is well worth a trial. The high 

 operation i s preferable, and nearlv an inch of the nerve must 

 be cut out. 



Einc-bone is one of the worst lamenesses a horse can have. 

 So much stress is thrown on that part, that whatever inter- 

 feres with its integrity produces a serious detriment to the 

 animal : it entirely unfits him for road-work,^ and even on 

 the farm it keeps him in low condition. ;■''* ■: 



King-bone in' the slightest degree is unsoundness. 



