240 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



and by stimulating the remainder to a healthy 

 secretion of the parts to produce new horn. 

 Change the dressing every day, and be care- 

 ful not to let the foot get wet. In this way 

 corns may be permanently cured, when not 

 of too Ions: standing. 



But when the derangement of this part of 

 the sole is become habitual and permanent, a 

 palliative treatment only can be pursued. In 

 the first place, the pressure of the horn must 

 be guarded against, by a regular and frequent 

 paring out of that portion between the in- 

 flexion of the heel ; and if the hoof be very 

 strong, and at all disposed to contract, the 

 quarters also should be attended to, and not 

 allowed to become too high, or too thick. I 

 have also in very strong feet found the use of a 

 short shoe sometimes of the greatest service ; 

 but to a weak foot, either a chambered, or a 

 bar-shoe is preferable. When the weakness 

 is very considerable, or the corn a very bad 

 one, a bar-shoe is the most proper support, 

 and should be constantly used ; remembering 

 in those aggravated cases, to remove occa- 

 sionally all the surrounding horn likely to 

 press on the injured part ; at the same time, 

 taking care not to let the frog rest continually 

 on the bar of the shoe, or it may be apt to 

 bruise it ; and whenever such a Horse is 

 shod, it is proper for the corn to be dressed 

 with some active stimulant ; such as tar, well 

 rubbed in, and covered well with tow to keep 

 the wet and moisture from it. By doing 

 which regularly when shod, and about once a 

 week also in the intermediate time, I have 

 rendered Horses, before useless, able after- 

 wards to work with comfort to themselves, 

 and satisfaction to their owners. In slight 

 cases of corn, the shoe proper to be used, is 

 one of rather more substance than common, 



with the web a little wider than usual, and 

 its width equal throughout ; that is, as wide 

 at the heels as at the toe. It should also 

 extend to the termination of the heel, and no 

 farther, and be well laid off the quarter, 

 which is generally the inner one. This will 

 allow the quarter to expand, and prevent in 

 all probability a repetition of the pressure from 

 the bone above. This shoe will afford ease 

 and protection ; future pressure must be 

 avoided by keeping the seat of corns clear 

 from offending, 



ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE 

 FEET. 



Of all the definite and well-marked diseases 

 of the Horse, this has been most mistaken 

 among the old farriers, and the least noticed 

 among the modern. In many works on far- 

 riery, it is not even mentioned ; and in most, 

 is little more than hinted at. 



I am at a loss to account for this ; seeing 

 that it is so frequent a disease. It is yet suffi- 

 ciently common to have been many times met 

 with by every piactitioner who has only a 

 tolerable range of veterinary practice ; and 

 when so met with, it is, both in appearances 

 and effects, too easily passed over, without 

 forcibly impressing the mind. Common far- 

 riers, when this disease has come under their 

 notice, have considered it to be a disease of 

 the chest, and that in consequence of the 

 Horse resting his fore legs ; that the muscles 

 and cellular membrane have become absorbed, 

 and wasted away. Hence has arisen the 

 name of chest-founder; and most of their 

 applications were applied to the Horse's chest, 

 instead of his feet. It frequently happens that 

 metastasis takes place, or translation of fevei 

 from one part to another, as in inflamed 



