31C DISEASES OF'IHEFOOT 



ivell-formed and perfect feet, but in those which become lame after contracts n feu 

 ,n proportion as the inner frog is compressed by the contraction of the heels, ar. J la 

 absorbed by that pressure, and the sole is become concave, and the horny frog, and 

 the coffin-bone too, thereby elevated, there will be less room for the action of thi* 

 joint, and more danger of the tendon and the delicate membrane of the navicular-bone 

 being crushed between that bone and the horny frog. 



Stable management has little to do with the production of this disease, any farther 

 than if a horse stands idle in the stable several days, and the structure of the foot, and 

 all the apparatus connected with motion, become unused to exertion, and indisposed 

 for it, and he is then suddenly and violently exercised, this membrane is very liable 

 to be bruised and injured. This, amongst other evils, will be lessened by a loose 

 box, in which a horse will always take some exercise.* 



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 resources. If there is contrac- 

 tion, 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 possible, 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 ulceration of the mem- 

 brane of the joint has taken place, it may be radically cured : but ulceration of the 

 membrane will be with difficulty healed, and caries of the bone will for ever remain. 



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

 mation to another part, and it will materially quicken the growth of the horn. A seton 

 passed through the frog by a skilful operator, and approaching 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 113), 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 contrac- 

 tion 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 apparent 

 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 tKua 



* To Mr. James Turner the veterinary profession is indebted for a knowledge of the seat 

 and cause of this lameness. In the year 1816, he first alluded to it, and the truth and import- 

 ance of his discovery is now universally allowed. 



According to Mr. Turner, 'contraction of the hoof is more or less apparent in the majority 

 of horses that have been accustomed to be shod. This is often long before they have 

 attained the highest value for work, and not unfrequently before they are five years old. This 

 contraction is not, however, necessarily connected with lameness a large proportion of horses, 

 in the very midst of labour, are perfectly free from lameness. 



The next deviation from nature is the passive state to which the foot is submitted at 

 least twenty-two or twenty-three hours out of the twenty-four, and sometimes for several 

 consecutive days. Let this be compared with the few hours during which the feet of a horse 

 at pasture are in a quiescent state, and there will be no cause of surprise in the change of form 

 and position, and character, and the state of contraction which takes place in the foot deprived 

 of its natural pressure and motion. 



The first consequence of contraction is the gradual displacement of the navicular and coffin- 

 oones. They ascend within the hoof. An unnatural arch is formed by the ascent of the frog, 

 and the delicate synovial membrane lining the joint is crushed and bruised by the very material 

 which nature has bestowed as a defence. This bruise of the synovial membrane lining the 

 joint is the veritable source of this complaint, the actual cause of the whole not consisting in 

 the wear and tear of the part, but having its origin in rest. It is engendered in the stab'e, bu 

 \ becomes permanently established by sudden violence out of it. General contraction of the 

 foot of the horse may take place to a great extent with comparative impunity, but it : B a pa* 

 'dal contraction or pressure which is the root of the evil. Turner on the Navicular Diseam 

 vol. ii, p. 53. 



