592 
ANATOMY OF THE PHALANGES. 
almost solely during the first two years of life, is seldom seen during the 
third and fourth years, and never occurs in old horses. Subcutaneous 
periosteotomy, formerly recommended, is of very questionable value. 
Unless performed with strict antiseptic precautions it may lead to sup¬ 
purative periostitis—a still more dangerous condition than “ sore shins.” 
Complete rest, low diet, and warm moist applications are usually sufficient 
in the early stages. Later on a mild blister is useful. 
If pus form, an ample depending opening must be made and the 
fullest antiseptic precautions taken. Warm antiseptic baths, in which 
the leg is immersed above the knee, may be continued for several hours 
every day until pus formation and pain diminish. Dry dressings are 
then useful. The horse should afterwards have several months’ rest 
and be very slowly brought into training. 
E. DISEASES OF THE PHALANGES. 
Anatomy. In solipeds, the phalanx consists of the pastern, coronet, and 
pedal bones, with the two sesamoid bones and the os naviculare. In 
ruminants, two completely developed and two rudimentary phalanges exist, 
with four sesamoid bones and two navicular bones. 
The pig has four phalanges—two true and two rudimentary; eight sesamoid 
and four navicular bones. 
In the five phalanges of carnivora, the first consists of two, the others of 
three joints. Each has two sesamoid bones, whilst the navicular bone is 
wanting. On the other hand, a small lenticular bone exists in the tendons of 
the extensor pedis, on the anterior surface of the joint between the metacarpus 
and first joint, as well as between this and the skin. 
In the horse, the three joints of the phalanx, i.e., the fetlock, coronary, and 
pedal, form partly incomplete and partly complete ginglymoid joints. 
The fetlock, a complete ginglymoid joint, possesses a capsular ligament 
strengthened laterally by fibrous bands, its synovial membrane has a dilatation 
behind which extends, for a considerable distance upwards, between the two 
portions of the suspensory ligament and the fetlock, to unite with the tendon 
of the flexor pedis perforans. The strong lateral ligaments, in conjunction 
with the cylindrical form of the articular surface, prevent any side movement. 
The fetlock-joint is further provided with two lateral sesamoidal ligaments, 
which, reinforced by the crossed ligaments, connect the sesamoids with the 
cannon bone and the first bone of the phalanx. 
The intersesamoidal ligament connects the two sesamoid bones. The 
fetlock-joint is so fixed by the upper and lower sesamoidal ligaments as to 
prevent excessive dorsal flexion and assist the function of the flexor tendons. 
The superior sesamoidal (suspensory) ligament passes in an upward direction 
from the superior border of the sesamoid bones to the lower row of carpal 
bones and upper end of the metacarpus. The inferior sesamoiden ligaments 
are three in number. The superficial is fixed below to the glenoidal fibro- 
cartilage, behind the articular surface of the os coronae, ascends behind the 
os suffraginis, and is inserted into the base of the sesamoids and intersesa- 
moid ligament. The middle ligament is fixed to the back of the os suffraginis 
and inserted into the base of the sesamoids. The deep consists of a few 
crossed fibres which arise from the back of the os suffraginis and are inserted 
into the sesamoids. 
