466 OSSIFICATION OF THE LATERAL CARTILAGES. 
her ill temper during the time of dressing the wound; this being 
the only means of subduing her. Was this sufficient to produce 
the disease, by causing excessive inflammation ; and was increased 
vascular action of parts thus set up, and a morbid deposition to 
the secretion of bony matter the result] This might be one cause; 
but, as the mare was also lame from ossification of the lateral car- 
tilages of the foot, she might, perhaps, be considered to be morbidly 
predisposed to take on ossification. 
This was the most singular disformation in nature I ever saw. 
The ears had diverted from the conch on trumpet-like shape — 
were much augmented in breadth, and their continual erection 
presented a singular appearance ; while, on examination, they felt 
as hard and rigid as the horns of an ox. 
Treatment . — It struck me very forcibly that pericondriotomy — 
simply dividing the covering of the cartilages of the ear — might be 
attended with beneficial result. I mentioned this to the owner, 
who readily consented; the mare was prepared, and I proceeded 
with the operation; first, on the external parts, which I soon fi- 
nished. In commencing with the internal, I was a little retarded 
in my proceedings from the flow of blood getting into the internal 
ear, which I thought might produce considerable irritation. I 
placed on the opening a small piece of sponge, which completely 
prevented the course of the blood, and the operation was soon con- 
cluded. The incisions were many, and over the most morbid parts. 
The after-treatment consisted of an ointment, composed of J ij 
ung. hydrarg. fort, and 3ij iodine, rubbed well together, and applied 
every day. K This application might assist the absorption. Iodine 
is rendered more active by the addition of mercurial ointment. 
Under this treatment the mare improved daily; the parts became 
more flexible, the ears began to assume their natural form, the 
muscles have regained their proper functions over the parts, and 
she is able to move the ear in the direction necessary to collect the 
different sounds. 
OPERATION FOR OSSIFICATION OF THE LATERAL 
CARTILAGES. 
By the same. 
I PERFORMED the operation on the same mare for ossification of 
the lateral cartilage; but, in this and several other cases, I per- 
formed it subcutaneously; first making an incision on the posterior 
ridge of the cartilage, and introducing a probe-pointed seton needle 
over the whole substance. I next introduced my periosteotomy 
