SYMPTOMS OF VAKIOUS DISEASES AFFECTING THE FEET. 331 



or from a girth gall, or from undue pressure of a saddle on the withers or 

 on some other part, or from cracked heels, or other such causes. The 

 majority of these causes are, however, apparent at first sight. 



CHAPTER 43. 



SYMPTOMS OF VARIOUS DISEASES AFFECTING THE FEET. 



661. Examination of the Foot. 662. Symptoms of various diseases in 

 the Feet. 663. Symptoms of Laminitis. 664. Symptoms of Navicular 

 disease. 665. Symptoms of Ossified Cartilages. 666. Symptoms of 

 Thrush. 667. Symptoms of Canker. 668. Symptoms of Corn. 669. 

 Chronic Foot Lameness. 670. Contraction. 671. Influence of Conforma- 

 tion. 672. Temporary causes of Lameness. 672a. Treatment of diseases 

 of the Foot. 



661 . Examination of the Foot. 



Having ascertained that the seat of the lameness is in the foot, it will 

 be necessary to examine it minutely. With this view, the foot on the 

 side indicated should be compared as to size and degree of slope and as 

 to depth and breadth at the heel with the opposite one. If the foot is 

 smaller or narrower, it generally indicates that the disease, whatever it 

 may be, is of some standing. If no difference in size is perceptible, it 

 suggests that it is recent. 



A further knowledge of the state of the interior of the foot will be 

 gained by feeling it all over, and comparing its temperature carefully at 

 all parts with that of the sound one. Again, if one part is hotter than 

 another, that symptom will at once draw attention and lead to more 

 searching examination of the part indicated. In endeavouring to ascer- 

 tain whether there is any abnormal heat in the foot or in any part of it, 

 the whole hand, and not merely the tips of the fingers should be applied. 

 Sometimes, although we may not be able to detect any abnormal heat in 

 the foot, we may yet discover an extra fulness of the plantar arteries. 



In all cases it must be a constant rule to remove the shoe. Each nail 

 should be drawn separately, and special notice must be taken if the 

 animal flinches at the withdrawal of any particular nail. The foot should 

 afterwards be tapped or pinched all round. Pain, on the application of 

 pressure or of concussion to any part, will lead us to examine that part 

 more minutely by paring it out. The seat of corn will of course be par- 

 ticularly examined. 



