390 SAND CRACK. 



The cure of navicular disease is difficult and uncertain. The first and all 

 important point is the removal of the inflammation in this very susceptible 

 membrane. Local bleeding, poulticing, and physic will be our principal re- 

 sources. If there is contraction, this must, if possible, be removed by the 

 means already pointed out. If there is no contraction, it will nevertheless be 

 prudent to get rid of all surrounding pressure, and to unfetter, as much as pos- 

 sible, the inside heel of the coffin-bone, by paring the sole and rasping the 

 quarters, and using the shoe without nails on the inner quarter, and applying 

 cold poultices to the coronet and the whole of the foot. This is a case, however^ 

 which must be turned over to the veterinary surgeon, for he alone, from his 

 knowledge of the anatomy of the foot, and the precise seat of the disease, is 

 competent to treat it. If attacked on its earliest appearance, and before ulce- 

 ration of the membrane of the joint has taken place, it may be radically cured : 

 but ulceration of the membrane will be with difficult}'' healed, and caries of the 

 bone will for ever remain. 



Blistering the coronet will often assist in promoting a cure by diverting the 

 inflammation to another part, and it will materially quicken the growth of the 

 horn. A seton passed through the frog by a skilful operator, and approach- 

 ing as nearly as possible to the seat of disease, has been serviceable. 



In cases of old contraction, attended by a short and feeling step, neurotomy, 

 or the excision of a portion of the nerve (for an explanation of the nature and 

 effects of which see page 158), may be resorted to with decided advantage. 

 Not only will the lameness be removed, but> by the foot being again brought 

 fully and firmly upon the ground, the inner side of the shoe being unfettered by 

 nails, a portion of the contraction may be removed by the sole being allowed to 

 descend and the foot to expand at each contact with the ground. 



Even when the navicular-joint is particularly suspected, if there is no appa- 

 rent inflammation (and that would be readily detected by the heat of the foot), 

 neurotomy may be practised with the hope of alleviating the sufferings of the 

 animal, and thus removing a portion of the lameness ; but if the lameness is* 

 extreme, either with or without contraction, and especially if there is heat 

 about the foot, the operation is dangerous. There is, probably, ulceration of 

 the membrane possibly, decay of the bone ; and the additional friction to 

 which the parts would be subjected, by the freer action of the horse, the sense 

 of pain being removed, would cause that ulceration or decay to proceed more 

 rapidly until the foot would be completely disorganised, or the tendon would 

 be gradually worn through by rubbing against the roughened surface of the 

 bone. 



SAND-CRACK. 



This, as its name imports, is a crack or division of the hoof from above down- 

 ward, and into which sand and dirt are too apt to insinuate themselves. It is 

 so called, because it most frequently occurs in sandy districts, the heat of the 

 sand applied to the feet giving them a disposition to crack. It occurs both in 



at pasture are in a quiescent state, and there membrane lining the joint is the veritable 

 will be no cause of surprise in the change of source of this complaint, the actual cause of the 

 form and position, and character, and the state whole not consisting in the wear and tear of the 

 of contraction which takes place in the foot part, but having its origin in rest. It is en- 

 deprived of its natural pressure and motion. gendered in the stable, but it becomes perma- 

 Tne first consequence of contraction is the nently established by sudden violence out of 

 gradual displacement of the navicular and it. General contraction of the foot of the 

 coffin bones. They asceutl within the hoof, horse may take place to a great extent with 

 An unnatural arch is formed by the ascent of comparative impunity, but it is a partial con- 

 the frog, and the delicate synovial membrane traction or pressure which is the root of the 

 lining the joint is crushed and bruised by evil. Turner on the Navicular Disease, 

 the very material which nature has bestowed Veterinarian^ vol. ii. p. 53. 

 as a defence. This bruise of the eynovial 



