130 ELEMENTS OF HIPPOLOGY. 



of dryness and moisture, from hard work on rough, stony ground, 

 or from being continually working or standing in mud. 



The disease first shows itself by a constant moisture and 

 foul odor in the cleft of the frog. If neglected, a thin watery 

 discharge follows, changing into a thick, very offensive discharge; 

 in this stage the frog becomes rapidly destroyed. 



The treatment is cleanliness and the removal of the exciting 

 cause. This will usually be sufficient in the first stages. In the 

 late progress of the disease it resists treatment stubbornly, and 

 needs most careful attention. In the absence of a veterinarian, 

 the foot should be thoroughly cleaned, the ragged parts of the 

 frog cut away. The diseased parts should then be dusted with 

 calomel or iodoform, and the cleft packed with oakum. The 

 foot should then be bandaged, to keep out the dirt. If the horse 

 must be used during the day, remove the bandage while the 

 horse is at work, renewing the treatment after the day's work 

 is over. This treatment must continue until the frog is sound. 



One of the serious conditions attending this disease is that 

 it is not a cause of lameness until it has reached a very serious 

 stage. 



Canker is a disease of the sole and frog that is of germ 

 origin. The canker-germ usually does not attack a sound foot, 

 but is found to be a sequel to thrush or to a punctured wound of 

 the foot. If it originates in a puncture, it is noticed that the 

 wound does not heal, but becomes more and more aggravated. 

 If it occurs independently of an injury, it is first noticed by its 

 offensive odor, the discharge from the cleft and sides of the frog, 

 and the rotting away of the sole. Surgery is the best treatment. 



A corn is a blood-blister in the living tissues of the sole. 

 It is caused by a bruise to that part of the sole between the bars 

 and the wall, where the sole is thinnest. If the horse goes lame 

 in one leg, without apparent cause, his shoe should be pulled, 

 and the seat of corn pared out. If, instead of showing white, 

 the sole shows a discolored spot, with reddish streaks — inflamed 



