ng of the deeper tissues over the seat of
the inflammatory process. The lameness of ringbone is characteristic in
that the heel is first placed on the ground when the disease is in a
fore leg, and the ankle is kept as rigid as possible. In the hind leg,
however, the toe strikes the ground first, when the ringbone is high on
the ankle, just as in health, but the ankle is maintained in a rigid
position. If the bony growth is under the front tendon of the hind leg,
or if it involves the coffin joint, the heel is brought to the ground
first. In the early stages of the disease it is not always easy to
diagnose ringbone, but when the deposits have reached some size they can
be felt and seen as well.

The importance of a ringbone depends on its seat and often on its size.
If it interferes with the joints or with the tendons it may cause an
incurable lameness, even though small. If it is on the sides of the
large pastern, the lameness generally disappears as soon as the tumor
has reached its growth and the inflammation subsides. Even when the
pastern joint is involved, if complete anchylosis results, the patient
may recover from the lameness with simply an imperfect action of the
foot remaining, due to the stiff joint.

_Treatment._--Before the bony growth has commenced the inflammatory
process may be cut short by the use of cold baths and wet bandages,
followed by one or more blisters. If the bony deposits have begun, the
firing iron should always be used. Even when the tumors are large and
the pastern joint involved, firing often hastens the process of
anchylosis and should always be tried.

When the lower joint is involved, or if the tumor interferes with the
action of the tendons, recovery is not to be expected. In many of these
latter cases, however, the animal may be made serviceable by proper
shoeing. If the patient walks with the toe on the ground, the foot
should be shod with a high-heeled shoe and a short toe. On the other
hand, if he walks on the heel, a thick-toed and thin-heeled shoe must be
worn.

Since ringbone is considered to be one of the hereditary diseases, no
animal suffering from this trouble should ever be used for breeding
purposes.

LAMINITIS, OR FOUNDER.

Laminitis is a simple inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the feet,
characterized by the general phenomena attending inflammation of the
skin and mucous membranes, producing no constitutional disturbances
except those dependent upon the