on of constitutional idiosyncrasies is an
active cause with regard to diseases in general, it would be absurd to
assert, but we do say that a predisposition to contract ringbone through
faulty conformation, such as long, thin pasterns with narrow joints and
steep fetlocks, may be inherited in many cases, and in a smaller
proportion of cases this predisposition may act as a secondary cause in
the formation of ringbone.

The importance of this point when considered in reference to the policy
which should be observed in the selection of breeding stock is obvious,
and, as the whole matter is within the control of the owners and
breeders, it will be their own fault if the unchecked transmission of
ringbones from one equine generation to another is allowed to continue.
It is our belief that among the diseases which are known for their
tendency to perpetuate and repeat themselves by individual succession,
those of the bony structures stand first, and the inference from such
fact which would exclude every animal of doubtful soundness in its
osseous apparatus from the stud list and the brood farm is too plain for
argument.

_Symptoms._--Periostitis of the phalanges is an ailment requiring
careful exploration and minute inspection for its discovery, and is very
liable to result in a ringbone of which lameness is the result. The
mode of its manifestation varies according to the state of development
of the diseased growth as affected by the circumstances of its location
and dimensions. It is commonly of the kind which, in consequence of its
intermittent character, is termed lameness when cool, having the
peculiarity of exhibiting itself when the animal starts from the stable
and of diminishing, if not entirely disappearing after some distance of
travel, to return to its original degree, if not indeed a severer one,
when he has again cooled off in his stable. The size of the ringbone
does not indicate the degree to which it cripples the patient, but the
position may, especially when it interferes with the free movement of
the tendons which pass behind and in front of the foot. While a large
ringbone will often interfere but little with the motion of the limb, a
smaller growth, if situated under the tendon, may become the cause of
considerable and continued pain.

A ringbone is doubtless a worse evil than a splint. Its growth, its
location, its tendency to increased development, its exposure to the
influence of causes of renewed d