90 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



The frog of the foot should be firmly pressed be- 

 tween the finger and thumb : if any white matter 

 flows from it, there is a thrush ; and this denotes a 

 tenderness of the foot. It often exists without visi- 

 ble lameness ; but a sharp stone will bring the horse 

 down. It is the more important to be particular in 

 observing the existence of a thrush, because I know 

 that a difference of opinion prevails among farriers 

 whether it amounts to unsoundness : of course it 

 would be hazardous in such a case to rely upon a 

 warranty. The flow of matter is easily checked by 

 the application of a little sulphuric acid; and then 

 the existence of the disease, if such it be considered, 

 is not discovered by the eye ; but if the foot has a 

 fetid smell, it is probable that the frog is rotten, and 

 by this means the purchaser may still be put upon 

 his guard. It is comparatively of little consequence 

 when a thrush is found only in the hind feet. 



A corn is another disease not to be detected by a 

 superficial observer, unless it happens that the part 

 affected has been recently cut away to relieve the 

 pain. This part is usually at the corner of the heel, 

 on the inside, just at the point where the shoe termi- 

 nates. It is, in fact, a bruise of the sole of the foot, 



