330 EXOSTOSIS FROM EARTHY IMPREGNATION OF WATER. 
mon parlance designated spavin , splint , ringbone , &c. This 
occurred in my father’s practice, and, for a considerable time, 
baffled all his investigations as to the cause. The disease 
had attacked the horses from a very early age ; one was treated 
for ringbone, whilst scarcely more than a year old. 
In general terms, it may be observed that, neither injury, 
excessive work, nor, worse than all, physical exertion in ex- 
treme youth, gave rise to this interesting pathological condition . 
The proprietor had too many horses to overwork any ; and 
his fears prompted more than usual care in the management 
of his stud. 
In 1851, my father discovered what he believes to have 
been the cause of this singular outbreak. By chance, tasting 
the water with which the horses were supplied, he found it 
of a peculiarly earthy flavour, and this led him to surmise, 
that an excess of calcareous salts might produce such morbid 
depositions. This idea was communicated to the owner, who, 
valuing any suggestion calculated to free his stud from the 
bane, immediately consented to submit the fluid to chemical 
analysis. The subjoined letter was the result : — 
Bristol ; August 3, 1853. 
Sir, — I have analysed the sample of spring water youforwarded 
me, and I think, from the very large quantity of earthy salts 
it contains, that it will cause the deposits you speak of in 
animals. You will perceive that in an imperial gallon there 
are no less than 46*24 grains of earthy salts out of 52*16 
grains total solid matter. Of these earthy salts 11*84 are 
earthy chlorides, which are readily decomposed in the system 
by the super-phosphates in the alimentary canal, depositing 
neutral phosphates, or bone earth. 
Solid contents of an imperial gallon of 70,000 grains : — 
1 Chloride of Calcium .... 
8*80 
2 „ Magnesium .... 
3-04 
„ Sodium .... 
4-00 
Organic Matters 
1-92 
3 Sulphate of Magnesia .... 
3-68 
4- Carbonate of Lime 
15-36 
5 Sulphate of Lime, with traces of Iron 
15-36 
52 16 
Those ntimbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, are earthy salts prone to de- 
composition in the system, but 1 and 2 particularly so. 
William Herapath. 
