482 
LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
lame, and it is somewhat difficult to discover the seat of lame- 
ness ; but after awhile a ringbone forms.” We are at a loss at 
the moment to recall to mind a case where such has occurred in 
our own practice : at the same time we have no right to question a 
fact which bears a strong analogy to what we ourselves have stated 
happens not so very infrequently in spavin, and we may add, 
we believe, in splint as well. 
The magnitude of a ringbone is not likely to influence any lame- 
ness that may attend it, save in so far as the tumour may occasion 
tension of the periosteum, or may abut against or spread upon any 
contiguous joint. This latter was Solleysell’s view of the matter, 
and observation has shewn it to be a correct one. “ The longer 
the ringbone continues,” says this observant writer, “ it descends 
lower upon the coronet (pastern 1), and, increasing to a considerable 
bigness, makes the horse lame ; from whence ’tis plain that the 
greatness of the danger that attends it must he measured by the 
nearness to the coronet 
Generally speaking, actual or palpable lameness is not an 
accompaniment of ringbone : but there occur few cases in which 
stiffness, to a greater or less degree, of the pastern joint is not 
perceptibly present ; though, as we have had occasion before to 
remark, this “ stiffness” is not commonly noticed, or, if noticed 
at first, by use wears off to that degree that, being in a hind leg, 
after a time it is not by the ordinary rider felt or observed at all. 
In chronic cases of ringbone and other exostoses, in cases in which 
all inflammatory or hypertrophic action has passed away, it is 
surprising, after medical treatment has done its best, what use, 
when it is not carried to abuse, brings about for such horses, by 
way of creating motion in joints before partially or completely 
stiff from anchylosis, and particularly such as has not been of too 
long standing. 
The Treatment of Ringbone, being by modern practitioners 
of veterinary medicine reduced to the principles laid down for the 
treatment of exostosis in general, has in their hands not only 
become divested of that cruel and useless practice, “ drawing the 
sole,” as recommended by Solleysell and others, but has undergone 
some improvement as well. It will occur to any veterinarian 
setting about to treat a case of the kind, that the object with which 
treatment is instituted should be the paramount one in his mind ; 
seeing that he will meet with many cases of ringbone that call for no 
medical treatment at all. If lameness be present, we must inquire 
wherefrom the lameness proceeds, whether from any existing in- 
Op. cit. sect, ii, pp. 121-122. 
