242 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



his feet. In other cases again of imperfect 

 resokition, the laminae losing their elasticity 

 and power, yield to the weight and stress of 

 the coffin-bone, which becomes pushed back- 

 wards ; and in its passage draws with it the 

 anterior crust of the hoof, which thus falls in. 

 The pressure also of the coffin-bone destroys 

 tlie concavity of the horny sole, which, instead 

 becomes convex, or pumiced, leaving a large 

 space towards the toe, filled with a semi-car- 

 tilaginous mass, and which is not an unfiequent 

 termination of inflammation of the foot. 



But when the attack is not commenced 

 with that extreme violence we have detailed, 

 or when an early and judicious treatment has 

 been adopted, the inflammation becomes 

 easily removed, and in the end the animal will 

 recover the use of his feet. 



In treating inflammation of the feet, there is 

 but one certain path to pursue ; and that is, on 

 first discovering the disease, to bleed largely, 

 to the extent of six quarts, at least ; and give 

 cold bran mashes, and prepare your Horse as 

 for a dose of physic (see list of medicines, 

 where you can select a ball of any strength, 

 according to the size or strength of tne ani- 

 mal.) The next object is to attend to the feet 

 themselves. 



After removing the Horse's shoes, pare the 

 feet out nicely ; i. e'^ as much as they will 

 admit; for that will not be a great deal, in 

 consequence of the hardness of the sole, pro- 

 duced by the inflammation. This done, rasp 

 round the foot and the edges of the wall, so that 

 you may be enabled to lightly nail on a shoe 

 when required. This being finished, bleed each 

 foot at the toe, and that largely ; now lightly 

 nail on your shoes (after you have got sufficient 

 blood from the feet), and place a plegit of tow on 

 each orifice. Over all place a poultice of cold 



bran, made wet with water; and frequently 

 have cold water squeezed over it from a 

 sponge. In addition to which, apply to the 

 fetlock-joint, what is now termed a " a swab " 

 (to be bought of any of the saddlers) ; but in 

 case this cannot be effected, take a piece of 

 coarse woollen cloth, of sufficient width to go 

 round the leg, and length to hang down over 

 the hoof; these to be constantly kept wet v\ ith 

 cold water. Sponge boots I do not approve of, 

 and consider them to do more harm than 

 good. They are apt to induce " thrush," or 

 at least make the frog so rotten, that in mend- 

 ing one hole, you make another. The Horse 

 should not be encumbered with much litter, 

 unless it be behind, but very little for his fore- 

 legs to stand on, and that made wet with water. 

 JBy this means he has an opportunity of cool- 

 ing his fore legs as much as possible ; and 

 should he be inclined to lay down, which in 

 the early stages of the disease he may, the 

 litter being sufficient behind, will prevent him 

 injuring his hips or his hocks. 



Should the febrile symptoms not seem to 

 abate so speedily as you had imagined, bleed 

 again from the jugular, to the amount of four 

 quarts. You will now have an opportunity of 

 gently moving the Horse about, which will 

 enable you to see whether there is any 

 amendment in his feet. If so, continue the 

 dressing as before ; bearing in mind, that the 

 orifice made in the foot, will occasion some 

 degree of lameness, so that it must not all be 

 taken for the disease. 



But if lameness shbuld appear to be greater, 

 or not at all relieved, bleed in both plate 

 veins, and abstract about two quarts of blood 

 from each vein ; but by no means think of 

 blistering the coronet, though 1 know some 

 practitioners are favourable to it. Give ano- 



