American Veterinary Remedy. 13 



of the affected leg, and at other times lifting it only 

 a few inches from the ground, but always with 

 the same uncontrollable jerk. The habit is un- 

 affected by the gait, and whether trotting, walking 

 or merely turning around, it is all the same. The 

 cause of this disease seems to be a puzzle to vet- 

 erinarians and pathologists, and we will not at- 

 tempt to give an opinion. We would advise abso- 

 lute rest by turning him out to grass for a season 

 and let nature right the causes. 



NAVICULAR DISEASE. 



Navicular Disease is an inflammation of the sesa- 

 moid sheath induced by repeated bruising or lac- 

 eration. The thoroughbred horse is more common- 

 ly affected with the disease, yet no class or breed- 

 ing is exempt. As a general rule one foot suffers 

 from the disease, but if both are affected the trouble 

 has become chronic. 



CAUSES.— It must be remembered that the fore- 

 legs largely support the weight of the body and 

 the faster he moves the greater is the shock which 

 the forefeet must sustain. The result is that the 

 coronet bone forces the navicular hard against the 

 flexon tendon, which in time presses firmly against 

 the navicular as the force of the contracting mus- 

 cles lifts the tendon into place. The more rapid 

 the pace and the greater the load, the greater the 

 liability to injury must be. The faults of confor- 

 mation most likely to be followed by the develop- 

 ment of navicular disease, are, an insufficient plan- 

 tar cushion, small frog, high heels, excessive knee 

 action and contracted heels. The disease is also 

 hereditary. 



SYMPTOMS.— Before lameness is noticed the an- 

 imal points the affected foot. While at work he 

 apparently travels as well as ever, but when placed 

 in the stable^ one foot is placed out ahead of the 

 other, resting on the toe. After a time he may 

 take a few lame steps; later he may be lame for a 

 part of a day and then seem all right again. In 



