DISEASES AFFECTING FEET 



mated. As a rule, if proper treatment is adopted at once, we 

 may anticipate good results. 



When the nail has come into contact with the coffin bone, 

 it may end in sloughing off a portion of this latter. Punctures 

 are sometimes produced by the animal stepping upon a sharp 

 point, or even the clip of the shoe. Although want of care in 

 shoeing may have been the cause of the puncture, still the very 

 best of shoeing smiths have had the misfortune to prick a foot. 

 A restless animal, and a brittle hoof renders shoeing difficult, 

 and increases the liability to puncture. Carelessness in shoeing 

 can be told by looking carefully at the nail holes. If the latter 

 are placed where there is not sufficient horn for the nail to get 

 a good grip, and the holes wrongly directed, then there is every 

 reason to suppose that proper skill has not been exercised. 



Proof of unskilled shoeing implies liability, and the owner 

 can obtain compensation from the smith. 



Symptoms. — Lameness after leaving the forge. Pressure 

 with the pincers around the white line causes pain. Later on 

 there is increased heat in the foot. Occasionally, punctures of 

 the foot do not make themselves known until several weeks 

 after shoeing, more especially if the injury be near the toe. 

 Quittor may then result. In foot lameness have the sole pared 

 and the nail holes carefully searched. It is the nail that has 

 been withdrawn, the smith finding it misdirected, which usually 

 causes the lameness. 



Treatment. — We have assumed that the shoe has already 

 been removed. Pare the sole and get to the very bottom of 

 the puncture — the latter being indicated by discoloured horn. 

 Do not be afraid to pare right through the horny sole at this 



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