182 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



produce the desired eflect, if, besides, a firm and uniform 

 pressure is applied, and nothing moist permitted to resD 

 upon the surface, which would be sure to be attended Avith 

 very serious consequences. In this complaint gentle exercise 

 IS absolutely necessary where the disease is confined to the 

 frog and sole of the foot, but moisture is carefully to be 

 avoided. But it will be found that in effecting a cure the 

 processes will be both tedious and painful, in consequence 

 of the necessity of caustic applications, which, however 

 slight, always cause considerable irritation in the parts. To 

 relieve the animal as much as possible from unnecessary 

 suffering, the nerve of the leg should be divided, which will 

 stop the sense of pain. But after this is done,, care must 

 be taken not to expose him to severe hard work, or even 

 contact with hard substances, as from the sense of feeling 

 in the foot being so far blunted, he may batter the hoof to 

 pieces without knowing it, and also bruise the cankered 

 parts. 



In this complaint medicine is seldom had recourse to, 

 as it is of little use, the disease being local. But it some- 

 times occurs that grease follows canker ; in the event of 

 which physic will become necessary, and these will be 

 alteratives and diuretics. 



THRUSH. 



Thrush is a disease to which horses of all ages are liable, 

 and in all situations. Even unshod colts are subject to 

 this complaint, caused by the horny frog being subjected to 

 pressure by the contraction of the quarters, which is thereby 

 dindnished in size ; and the low^r portion of the fleshy frog 

 being confined, is irritated and inflamed, which induces 

 ulceration, and when matured is manifested by matter being 

 discharged from the cleft of the frog. During this state of 



