994 
S. J. J. HARGER. 
bone cells are less numerous ; its earthy salts are less abundant 
and by maceration in an acid solution it becomes decalcified in 
much less time than normal bone. The ligaments and the 
synovials also show inflammatory alterations. 
Reciprocal Relation of Articular and Periarticular Ring¬ 
bones .—Which is primary and which is secondary when both ex¬ 
ist ? Which occurs the more frequently ? This is what I more es¬ 
pecially sought for. Udriski of the Bucharest Veterinary School 
examined 55 specimens : 20 were exclusively periarticular with¬ 
out any articular lesion ; 24 showed lesions in both places ; 11 
were ankylosed. The collection which I examined consisted of 
29 specimens : 20, two-thirds of the entire number, were exclu¬ 
sively periarticular; 9 showed both external and internal les¬ 
ions. Among the latter, there was ankylosis, partial or com¬ 
plete, and while the* exostoses were well marked or large, the 
articular coossification was progressive ; that is, the exostoses 
were more or less stationary, the only difference in the specimens 
was the successively increasing degree of the obliteration of the 
joint, which seems to have been the last thing to have taken 
place. In one case there was false ankylosis, while the articular 
surfaces were normal. In no case was there any articular ulcer¬ 
ation without periosteal deposit. 
The evidence obtained from these specimens seems to point 
to the general deduction that ringbone begins primarily on the 
periphery of the bones and only secondarily extends into the 
joint. Whilst it cannot be denied that the articular lesions 
may be primary, these cases are by far in the minority, and in 
such a case, before the local temperature is altered, a correct 
diagnosis is difficult, if not impossible. 
It would follow from these statements that in prescribing 
treatment early and before there is any mechanical interference 
in the joint movement, the prognosis should in the majority of 
cases be favorable; while, when the articular surfaces are al¬ 
ready affected, the prognosis should be reversed. We know 
that for old ringbones firing is not very successful; ankylosis 
is difficult of production because of the difficulty of destroying 
