THE NAVICULAR-JOINT DISEASE. 167 



decay from cariousness. Besides this, bony adhesions have 

 often taken place between the navicular bone and the 

 pastern, which consequently render this joint altogether 

 unserviceable. 



Remedies. — Like some other diseases incidental to the 

 horse, the cure of this is very uncertain. The first thing to 

 be adopted is bleeding from the nearest vein. After Avhich 

 a poultice should be applied to allay the inflammation, and 

 the bowels should be kept open. The following purgative 

 should be given in the form of a ball, and repeated as long 

 as is required. 



Barbadoes aloes . .5 drachms, 

 Castile soap . . 2 drachms, 



Oil of caraways . . 8 drops. 



The ball should be formed v^itli a little lintseed-meal and 

 treacle. 



If this complaint is discovered at its commencement, and 

 before ulceration of the membrane has taken place, a cure 

 may readily be effected ; but on the contrary if the mem- 

 brane is ulcerated before remedies are applied, the difficulty 

 in eradicating it will be exceedingly great, if not impos- 

 sible. Caries of the bone is certain to take place, and that 

 condition can never be changed. Blistering the coronet 

 has been found beneficial in assisting a cure, by removing 

 the inflammation to another part and expediting the growth 

 of the horny substance. Setons passed through the part, 

 as contiguous to tlic seat of the disease as possible, have 

 either lessened the complaint or entirely removed it. 



But this disease is altogether of so delicate a nature, that 

 we would not advise its cure to be attempted by an un- 

 skilful person, as it is one of those which can only be 

 successfully taken up by an experienced veterinary surgeon. 



