168 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



As in all other inflamniatury diseases, there is heat in the 

 seat of the navicular bone, and probably in the whole foot. 

 In this complaint the animal suiFers much pain, to alleviate 

 Avhich we would recommend neurotomy, or cutting out a 

 portion of the nerve, which has in some instances very 

 much reduced the lameness. But at all events it will lessen 

 the suiFerings of the horse. In cases of extreme lameness, 

 either with or without contraction, then it woyld be inju- 

 dicious to resort to this operation ; because, if there was 

 ulceration of the membrane or decay of the bone, the 

 increased friction, in consequence of the freer action given 

 to the parts, the feeling of pain being removed, would 

 cause thesf^ to progress more rapidly, until complete dis- 

 organization of the foot took place ; or in all probability 

 the tendon itself would be gradually worn through by 

 rubbing against the roughened surface of the decayed bone. 



FALSE QUARTER. 



When the coronary ligament is severely cut or divided, 

 it is termed false quarter. In some instances it is eaten 

 through by the application of caustic applied to other 

 wounds and sores of the foot ; when this is the case there 

 will be a division of the horn as it grows down, having 

 all the appearance of a sand-crack, or one portion of the 

 horny substance will overlap the other. This is a very bad 

 defect in the foot, and often occasions lameness, and there 

 is very great difficulty in curing it. The coronary ligament 

 is that by which the horn of the hoof is secreted ; con- 

 sequently what must be first attempted is to restore it 

 to the discharge of its healthy function. 



Remedies. — Caustic has been used in many instances, 

 and found effectual ; but nevertheless it is a dangerous 

 remedy, as it has often proved very injurious. Blisters 



