106 DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 



keep it soft. Cow dung is as good, if not better, for this 

 purpose, than the best of costly flaxseed. Never in cases 

 of this disease, apply poultices around the whole of the 

 hoof, as in that case the hoof may fall off. Healthy hoofs 

 can be poulticed off. \Yhatever poultice, it must be ap- 

 plied to the sole. If no opening has been made from 

 below, drop ten drops of muriatic acid into the opening 

 above, once in the day, for a few days. This will destroy 

 the disease. 



Founder. — (1.) Acute Founder. — Every school-boy 

 is familiar with the name of founder when applied to a 

 lame horse, but few horsemen ever comprehend the nature 

 and seat of this affection. Founder in all its forms is 

 inflammation of the laminae or leaves, which dovetail into 

 each other, and bind the sensible and insensible portions of 

 the foot tojxether. Hence, it is called bv some learned 

 persons in diseases of horses laminitis, by adding the Greek 

 word itls. Founder is again called by some persons fever 

 in the feet. However, as to names, the disease is of often 

 occurrence, and when left to itself, destroys many good 

 horses by leaving them ever afterward sore and tender in 

 front, as the horsemen have it. 



Symptoms. The horse will scarcely move; stands upon 

 his heels, with fore feet and legs stretched out as far as he 

 can get to throw the weight off them. Thus, to all ap- 

 pearances, making the animal hollow in the breast, which 

 appearance has given rise to the idea that the horse is chest 

 foundered. The hind legs are brought far in under the 

 belly. The head of the horse is erect and high. Fever 

 and constitutional disturbance are very great. The horse 

 is extremely excitable, and breathing fast and laborious. 

 Altogether, the poor suffering horse is the very picture of 

 distr:^s and disease. 



