Re: Cannon Bone measurements

["Linda B. Merims" <lbm@ici.net>]

On Sat, 31 Jan 1998 Tivers@aol.com wrote:
> ...There are some vets using an aluminum block that is
> graduated in thickness next to a bone for x-ray density estimation. Due to
> variations in x-ray technique, this is difficult to accomplish and quantify.
> 
> Using infrared thermography, we can see the preliminary signs of softness in
> the lower legs--splints coming on, inflamed areas on the cannon bone, joints
> heating up, etc. That's my best diagnostic tool. 

I once had a talk with George Pratt.  He is a full professor of
electrical engineering at MIT who has been very interested
in equine locomotion for many years.  (For people who don't know, he was
the guy around which the Nova series entry "A Magic Way of Going" about
race horses was written.)  I remember him telling me that he had made
himself and MIT a bundle of money by inventing a machine that could
measure bone density.  He said it had made its bundle not measuring horse
bone density, but as a diagnostic tool in human geriatric medicine.

Ring any bells?

Linda B. Merims
lbm@ici.net
Massachusetts, USA