OF FARRIERY. 



241 



un^s, &c. The feet then become frequently 

 affected, at the same time the lungs become 

 relieved. In some cases obstructed perspira- 

 tion will produce it. sudden alteration of tem- 

 perature, standing a long time in the stable, 

 especially if the stable be kept immoderately 

 warm. The vessels of the feet not being able 

 to bear the sudden alteration, distend ; and 

 inflammation of the feet becomes the con- 

 sequence. In many cases it occurs prior 

 to the Horse being attacked with symp- 

 tomatic fever ; both are frequently occasioned 

 by long continued exertion, particularly on 

 hard roads, with subsequent exposure to cold. 

 Under such circumstances as those pointed 

 out, inflammation of the feet may be confined 

 to one foot, or two ; or it may attack the whole 

 four; but it is more common to the fore-feet. 



When a Horse labours under inflammation 

 of the feet, persons in attendance on the 

 Horse cannot discover quickly the seat of dis- 

 ease ; consequently, the Horse continues to 

 get worse and worse, until a veterinary sur- 

 geon is called in ; when he finds the Horse 

 breathing with difficulty, and in all probabi- 

 lity in a profuse sweat. Previous to which, 

 the groom informs him, that he has been la- 

 bouring under a severe shivering fit, the 

 Rorse frequently laying down, stretching out 

 all fours, and groaning with the intense pain 

 that accompanies the disease. The prac- 

 titioner soon discovers the seat of disease trom 

 the peculiar method in which the Horse 

 stands; he betrays a peculiar manner of shift- 

 ing and lifting up his legs ; standing, by 

 drawing his hinder legs under towards his 

 chest, to relieve the fore-legs from the weight 

 that is naturally upon them. The practitioner 

 will, however, be commonly saved the trouble 

 of much discrimination ; for he will in general 



cases not be called in, till the features of the 

 complaint are sufficiently marked, by the utter 

 impossibility to make the Horse remain on his 

 legs. On the contrary, when forced up, he 

 lies down again almost immediately, exhibit- 

 ing every symptom of distress and uneasiness. 



As soon, likewise, as the complaint has 

 arisen to any height, the feet will be found 

 intensely hot, and the pastern arteries pulsat- 

 ing very strongly ; which alone would serve 

 to mark the disease. There is sometimes 

 some little tumefaction around the fetlocks ; 

 and when one foot is held up for examination, 

 it gives so. much pain to the other, that the 

 Horse is in danger of falling. The poor beast 

 groans and breaks out into profuse sweats at 

 one time, and at others, is cold. His eyes are 

 moist and red ; and his whole appearance be- 

 tokens that he is labouring under a most 

 painful inflammatory affection. 



In this state the complaint shews itself the 

 first two, three, or four days, after which it« 

 effects are various. In the worst cases, when 

 the symptoms we have stated have raged a 

 few days, a slight suppuration of the hoof, at 

 the coronet, may be observed ; from which 

 may be pressed a small quantity of reddish 

 ichor, or thin matter. 



This inflammation, however, is not suffi- 

 ciently active to force off the hoofs, which 

 have gradually become in a great measure 

 imperfect, and sometimes deformed. This 

 imperfect resolution may be known before its 

 effects on the horn become apparent, by the 

 very peculiar gait the Horse exhibits when 

 taken out, and which once seen, can never be 

 forfjotten ; for he throws his feet forward in a 

 seemingly burlesque manner, and brings them 

 down as oddly on the heel. In fact, he clearly 

 shews that he has iost the proper sensibility of 



