274 
THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 
4. Side Bone. 
Side bone is ossification, or turning into bone, of the 
lateral cartilages of the foot; these are two, one situated on 
each side. By pressing on them at each side just above the 
hoof, they may be moved in and out, that is when they are in 
a healthy state. When they become diseased or changed into 
bone, they become enlarged and cannot be moved. It is more 
frequently met with in heavy breeds, but is sometimes met 
with in light horses, when it is harder to treat and more of a 
detriment to them on account of being used for fast work. 
Causes. — Hard work, as a general thing, causes side bone. 
Symptoms. — Heavy horses are not lame in some cases, 
there being simply the enlargement at each side of the foot, 
just above the hoof. In severe cases there may be lameness. 
In light horses, used for drawing, the first symptom noticed 
is lameness, followed by the enlargement at the sides of the 
foot, just above the hoof. 
Treatment. — Rest the animal as much as possible. If in 
the summer, bathe the foot well with cold water and salt 
twice a day, each time, wipe dry and apply the white lini- 
ment. If in the winter, bathe with warm water and salt, and 
also poultice with half linseed meal and half bran. Apply the 
poultice as warm as possible without burning the animal, and 
each time after bathing and poulticing, rub with white lini- 
ment as mentioned above. When the soreness and lameness 
has disappeared blister with 
Biniodide of Mercury 2 drams. 
Vaseline or Lard 1 ounce. 
Mix well together and there is enough to blister a small 
side bone four times. Apply quarter of the blister and rub in 
thoroughly, leave for three days and then grease with lard. 
In two or three weeks wash the parts clean with lukewarm 
water and soap, and blister again as before. Repeat the 
blisters until the lameness is entirely gone and the side bone 
stops growing. In buying a horse always examine him closely 
for side bones, especially if a heavy horse. In cases where it 
is necessary to work the animal shoe him with a bar shoe. 
5. Ringbone. 
There are two kinds — the high-up and the low-down 
ringbone. The high-up ringbone affects the pastern joint, the 
low-down the coffin joint. It is a bony growth around the 
