ACCIDENTS TO THE LEGS AND FEET 617 



out that this plan of shoeing the fore-foot is ever successful. When 

 cutting occurs before, unless there is this turn out, it is better to put the 

 shoes on in a perfectly level manner, and trust to the reduction of the 

 thickness of the quarter, and the absence of the third nail. If, with 

 these precautions, the horse, when in good condition, still strikes his fore- 

 legs, it will be better to put up with the constant use of a boot. Generall}', 

 however, if the inflammation is first subdued, and the foot is shod in a 

 perfectly true and level manner, taking care to rasp away the particular 

 part which strikes the other leg, it will be found that the cutting is 

 avoided. 



Speedy cutting is more dangerous than ordinary cutting, because the pain 

 given by the blow is generally more severe, and is often so great that the 

 horse falls as if he were shot. On examining the leg of a confirmed speedy 

 cutter there is always apparent a small scab or bruise on the inside of the 

 cannon-bone, immediately below the knee ; but in slight cases rest may have 

 been used to allow the skin to heal, and then no mark may possibly be left. 

 A careful examination will, however, generally detect a small bare place, 

 partially concealed by the growth of the adjacent hair. In bad cases the 

 periosteum is swollen, and there is a considerable enlargement of the surface 

 of the bone. 



In the Management of slight cases of this kind of cutting, the action 

 should be examined while the hoof is covered with chalk, and the latter 

 should be treated in the same way as already described. If, however, 

 this fails, as it generally does in this form of cutting, there is no remedy but 

 to put on a regular speedy-cut boot, in which there is a pad buckled on the 

 inside of the leg, and reaching from the knee to the fetlock. It must be 

 of this length, because otherwise it cannot be kept in its place, as the 

 leg allows it to slip down until it r-eaches the larger circumference pre- 

 sented by the joint. Where there is pain and swelling, caused by the 

 contusion, it must be treated in the ordinary way, by the application of 

 cold water and tincture of arnica, a wineglassful of the latter in two quarts 

 of watei'. 



When a nail is picked up on the road, the prognosis will depend 

 upon the part which it has penetrated. If it has entered deeply into the 

 toe of the frog, the probability is that the navicular joint has been wounded, 

 or possibly the tendon of the flexor at its insertion into the pedal-bone, 

 either of which are very serious accidents. If the wound is further back, 

 there is less risk of permanent injury, as the bulbous heel or cushion of 

 the frog will bear a considerable amount of injury without permanent 

 mischief. 



In any case the Treatment should consist in cutting away the horn 

 round the opening, so as to allow of a free escape of matter if it forms. 

 At the same time inflammation should be kept under by cold *' swabs " to 

 the coronet, or, better still, by putting the whole foot into a bran poultice. 



Over-reaches, when slight, may be treated by the application of Friar's 

 balsam, or tincture of arnica in full strength, which will have a tendency 

 to dry them up and prevent suppuration. If, however, the heel is very 

 much bruised, a poultice must be applied, but even then a little tincture 

 of arnica should be sprinkled on it. When the bruise is so severe that 

 a slough or core comes away, the wound may be dressed with a piece of 



