OF FARRIERY. 



2IH& 



of the sensible sole. For so surely as this part 

 becomes subjected to pressure for any con- 

 siderable length of time, so surely extravasation 

 takes place, and a corn is formed ; and this 

 more quickly when the heels are \reak. 



The third common cause, is the neglect of 

 removing, oi' renewing the shoes at proper 

 intervals. When a shoe has been long worn, 

 the growth of the hoof carries it forwards, by 

 which the parts originally opposed to the 

 heels are carried beyond them, and now press 

 on the sole, often becoming indented within 

 the line of the crust, and producing a most 

 injurious pressure. Sometimes also, either 

 from the original form of the shoes, or by long 

 wear, they become loose and " springy'^ at 

 the heels, as smiths call it ; in which cases 

 gravel is apt to make its way between the 

 shoe and the foot, and by the pressure of the 

 heels during action, is indented into the sub- 

 stance of the horn ; other gravel becomes 

 received in the same manner, which presses 

 the first still onward, till at last it meets the 

 sensible part. As soon as it reaches here, 

 inflammation ensues, and a very different 

 complaint is formed to that of common corns ; 

 for in every instance of this kind, suppuration 

 proceeds, and the matter unable to make its 

 exit below, or sideways, forces its way up- 

 wards, and a small tumour appears at the 

 coronet, which breaks, and discharges a pu- 

 rulent matter. 



But the common effects of pressure from 

 long-worn shoes, are the extravasation of a 

 little blood ; which on paring away the horn, 

 at the angular point of the heel, or heels, ap- 

 pears as a black or red speck, as the blood 

 has been longer or more newly thrown out 

 from its vessels ; and it may be followed with 

 the paring knife to its source in the sensible 



part. If the injury has been considerable, this 

 blood itself may irritate and produce suppu- 

 ration, in a similar manner with gravel. But 

 in general cases, this extravasation remains 

 unchanged ; and unless attended to, a weak- 

 ened action of this part of the sole becomes 

 permanent, and blood continues to be thrown 

 out ever after, upon any occasional renewal of 

 the pressure. In such cases, the horn itself 

 over the part, proves a source of future irrita- 

 tion ; and, therefore. Horses with old corns, 

 only, go well when fresh shod and newly 

 pared ; for as soon as the portion of sole be- 

 tween the bars grows to a level with the sur- 

 rounding horn, the sensible sole receives a 

 fresh bruise, and lameness again appears. It 

 is by contemplating this possible termination 

 of corn, that the law has wisely considered 

 every Horse vvjtli this complaint, as unsound. 

 Treatment of Corns. — When a corn first 

 appears, it is not difficult, by proper means, to 

 remove it completely ; but when it has existed 

 some time, the injured parts become weak- 

 ened, and the diseased action of throwing out 

 blood, instead of secreting horn, becomes 

 familiar to them. As soon, therefore, as it is 

 discovered, the cure should be immediately 

 attempted ; first, by removing with a fine 

 drawing-knife, every portion of diseased horn 

 around, and the whole of the extravasation 

 likewise ; avoiding, however, the wounding 

 of the sensible sole underneath. Having done 

 this, take a plegit of tow, and well moisten 

 with compound tincture of myrrh, over which 

 put tow sufficient to fill up the hollow of the 

 foot ; put on a bar-shoe, and secure the tow 

 in the hollow of the foot by two sticks, laid 

 across each other, and fastened underneath 

 the edge of the shoe. It will act on the sen- 

 sible sole, by destroying the unsound parts. 



