228 Veterinary Elements. 



or hot, dry bran; even in this disease avoid washing the 

 limbs as much as possible. 



Ringbone is a disease of the bony structure, occurring 

 as the result of inflammation of the pastern or coffin 

 bones, usually on the hind pastern, but may be found on 

 the fore limbs. This trouble occurs in different locations 

 on the pasterns, e. g., if affecting the joint between the 

 two pastern bones is termed "high ringbone," if the 

 joint between the small pastern and coffin bone is affected 

 the low ringbone is said to exist, it is a serious condition. 

 Sometimes the enlargement appears on the large pastern 

 bone, and it is then termed ' ' false ringbone. ' ' The bony 

 deposit may be at the front or sides of the bones affected, 

 and may cause lameness by interfering with the move- 

 ment of the tendons or ligaments. Ringbones may be 

 caused by a horse going on the toe, the result of spavin. 

 It is important to remember that the pasterns may be 

 rough, large and prominent at the joints and yet not be 

 affected, the prominences noticed are to give attachment 

 to ligaments and muscles, both pasterns should be alike. 

 In the early stages there is a stiffness of movement of the 

 pastern joints, and if in the fore foot a tendency to walk 

 on the heel, the lameness being shown long before any 

 enlargement can be noticed. 



The only satisfactory treatment is the firing iron, fol- 

 lowed with a blister, and the avoidance of breeding from 

 sires or dams with this disease. 



Sidebones is the apt term used to describe the turning 

 into bone of the lateral cartilages, which change may be 

 partial or complete; as will be remembered these carti- 

 lages are of a gristly nature and yield more or less under 



