PRICK, OR WOUND IN THE SOLE OR CRUST. 173 



is liiglilj probable that the parts may be thoroughly cured ; 

 but if tiie direction of the pipes be forward, there is great 

 doubt of a cure being accomplished. 



Quittor often proceeds from neglecting bruises and in- 

 juries of the sole of the foot. When horses have flat feet, 

 and are ridden quickly over a rough, uneven, stony road, 

 the feet are very liable to be injured, and especially by 

 getting a small stone between the shoe and the sole. 

 Narrow webbed shoes are frequently the cause of bruises of 

 the feet, by leaving too much of the sole unprotected. 

 Another cause is, the smith paring out the sole too closely, 

 or pricking the sole while in the act of shoeing, as also 

 pressure of the ohoe on the sole, and gravel getting insinu- 

 ated between the sole and the shoe. 



PUICK, OR WOUND IN THE SOLE OR CRUST. 



The sole is peculiarly liable to be injured by sharp-pointed 

 stones, flints, and pieces of glass which it may come in 

 contact with on a road. In shoeing, too, a nail may be 

 driven either through the sensible part of the foot, or so 

 near to it in the horn, that it will cause pressure and con- 

 sequent irritation, probably inflammation, and this may end 

 in ulceration. In all cases of lameness, particularly in those 

 which are sudden, the legs should be examined with great 

 care ; and if no cause can be discovered to account for it, 

 the probability is that its seat is in the foot. The shoe 

 ought to be immediately removed, when very likely the 

 cause will be ascertained. But if it is not at once apparent 

 by the heat of some portion of the foot, then the crust 

 should be rapped all round with a small hammer, and when 

 the part which is afiected is touched, the horse is sure to 

 flinch from it ; or pressure applied by pincers will answer 

 the same purpose. 



