148 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



be apprehended from a prick near the toe. But in 

 the centre of the sole, where the flexor tendons pass 

 over, especially where the tendon is inserted into the 

 coffin-bone, a puncture may be attended with serious 

 consequences, as well as a wound in the joint which 

 unites the navicular-bone with the coffin-bone. If a 

 wound inflicted in this situation is neglected, the 

 animal may be rendered useless for life. In short, 

 injuries of the foot require the utmost skill to 

 examine their precise nature, as well as the manner 

 in which they ought to be treated. 



In searching for a wound, it is not uncommon for 

 the smith to cut away an unnecessary portion of the 

 horn from the bottom of the crust of the sole, and 

 thus leave no hold for the nail of the shoe. In such 

 cases it has frequently taken months before the 

 horny substance was of sufficient substance to hold 

 the nails. 



When it becomes necessary to remove any portion 

 of the horny sole in consequence of a wound, or if 

 separation has taken place through suppuration, then 

 the injured or wounded portion of the crust must be 

 entirely removed, as the dead parts of the horn will 

 never unite with that which is living. Then the 

 fleshy sole which has been left exposed must be care- 

 fully touched with chloride of antimony, and some 

 soft and dry tow or lint laid on it. But if there are 

 inflammatory symptoms, it will be necessary to apply 

 a poultice to the entire sole. So quickly is the 

 horny substance secreted, that in a few days a thin 

 pellicle will be found covering the whole, or part of 

 the portion that has been stripped of the crust. If 

 there are any symptoms of proud-flesh shooting 

 through it, then it must be subjected to an applica- 

 tion of chloride of antimony, and tow placed over it 



