510 CHAPTER 65. 



rated. Frequently general febrile symptoms are present, and throbbing 

 of the plantar arteries is a marked feature in this disease. 



If the two fore-feet only are affected, the hind legs will be drawn under 

 the belly, and the fore-feet advanced, so as to take the weight off them as 

 much as possible. If the two hind feet only are affected, he will stand 

 with his fore-feet back under his body, and his hind feet brought for- 

 wards, so as to throw the weight upon the heels. If all four feet are 

 affected, the symptoms will be a combination of the above. 



1030. Treatment. 



Our first endeavour must be to relieve the local inflammation existing 

 within the feet. Mild purgatives should be given, and if the bowels are 

 torpid, clysters should be administered. But a full dose of medicine 

 may do serious mischief on account of the irritability of the system in 

 this disease. 



The shoes should be at once removed, and the crust of the hoof rasped 

 down so that the animal may be able to throw some of his weight upon 

 a portion of the sole. 



Owing to the intensity of the pain it is sometimes a difficult matter to 

 remove the shoes, and occasionally the animal has to be cast or "slung 

 before this can be accomplished. 



As soon as the action of the laxative medicine has ceased, the patient 

 should be placed upon cooling diet, mashes, green food if procurable 

 carrots, etc. A pail of fresh water should be left within reach If any 

 febrile symptoms are present, half an ounce of nitre may be dissolved 

 in the water. 



The local treatment should consist of cold applications. 



Hot fomentations and poultices are inadmissible in this disease as they 

 tend to relax and distend the overloaded blood-vessels, and by encourag- 

 ing swelling of the inflamed sensitive structures, which are closely con- 

 fined in that unyielding horny box, viz. the hoof, produce an increase of 

 the pain which is already excessive, and favour the approach of those 

 structural lesions which we are anxious to prevent. 



Bleeding from the coronet, either by scarifying with a lancet or by 

 means of leeches, with a view of relieving the congestion and diminishing 

 the pain, is a practice frequently employed with benefit. 

 . The animal should be made to stand in a wet clay bath during the day, 

 and at night may be allowed to occupy a well-littered loose box or stall, 

 and encouraged to lie down. Or the feet may be kept cool by the appli- 

 cation of wet swabs round the coronet. 



As soon as the most acute symptoms have been relieved, and the 

 animal is able to bear weight upon the feet, no time should be lost in 

 applying the special " rocking bar shoe " described in paragraph 983r, 

 and getting the horse out to exercise, as soon as possible, on wet soft 

 ground. 



If the disease progresses favorably, ordinary shoes may be applied in 

 the course of a few days, and it may be necessary to blister the coronet. 

 See paragraph 1033. 



