254 Common Diseases of the Horse 



ness. In the former case, however, it is usually only temporary, 

 and passes off in a few days. An injury to the coronet caused 

 by a " tread " becomes dangerous when, from neglect, germs 

 gain an entrance and cause matter to form underneath, and in 

 every case it is imperative that the most careful attention should 

 be given to it. It is easy to remedy if early precaution is taken. 

 Where bleeding has occurred, the wound must be carefully washed 

 and disinfected, and a little tow and antiseptic ointment (carbolic 

 or boracic) applied and kept in position by bandages. It should 

 be dressed night and morning. As a rule, in a few days healing 

 is effected. When the injury sustained is a crush or bruise, there 

 is practically no bleeding, but the pain is greater, and healing takes 

 much longer. The pain may be relieved by cold water applied 

 continuously for an hour. The after treatment is the same as in 

 the other case. When the injury has been severe a quantity of 

 dead tissue often results. This sloughs away in time, leaving a 

 wound which may be dressed and bandaged with the ointment as 

 described. A neglected " tread ", in which dirt and consequently 

 germs have gained access, is frequently the source of " quittor ". 

 Too much stress cannot be laid upon the importance of giving the 

 very best attention to any wound on the coronet, no matter how 

 trifling it may appear. It may be also remarked that high narrow 

 calkins and long heels, a frequent cause of trouble, are an unneces- 

 sary evil, and should be avoided. 



Injuries from Nails 



Nails may injure the foot in several ways, which may be briefly 

 enumerated. 



1. By being coarsely driven, i.e. too closely to the "quick" 

 (sensitive vascular part), thus causing a bulging of the soft horn, 

 pressure, and pain. The fault may be due to the carelessness of 

 the doorman (knocker-on), or perhaps quite as frequently to the 

 unskilful manner in which the nail holes have been punched by 

 the fireman (the man responsible for the make and fit of the shoe). 

 In the latter case the nails have been placed too near the inner 

 edge of the shoe. This kind of injury is known as a " bind ". 

 Lameness will surely follow, but may not do so for a few days, 

 or even longer. 



2. By the nail being driven into the " quick " and then with- 

 drawn. This is known as " drawback ". When it occurs, directly 

 the nail enters the sensitive structures the horse flinches, the smith 

 is warned that something is wrong, and withdraws the nail. Mean- 



