PRICK OR WOUND IN THE SOLE OR CRUST. 1 75 



bone, a puncture may be attended with serious conse- 

 quences, as well as a wound in the joint which unites 

 the navicular-bone with the coffin-bone. K a wound in- 

 flicted in this situation is neglected, the animal may be 

 rendered useless for life. In short, injuries of the foot 

 require the utmost skill to examine their precise nature, 

 as well as the manner in which they ought to be 

 treated. 



In searching for a wound, it is not uncommon for the 

 smith to cut away an unnecessary po)*tion of the horn from 

 the bottom of the crust of the sole, and thus leave no hold 

 for the nail of the shoe. In such cases it has frequently 

 taken months before the horny substance was of sufficient 

 substance to hold the nails. 



When it becomes necessary to remove any portion of the 

 horny sole in consequence of a wound, or if separation has 

 taken place through suppuration, then the injured or 

 wounded portion of the crust must be entirely removed, as 

 the dead parts of the horn will never unite with that which 

 is living. Then the fleshy sole which has been left exposed 

 must be carefully touched with chloride of antimony, and 

 some soft and dry tow or lint laid on it. But if there are 

 inflammatory symptoms, it will be necessary to apply a 

 poultice to the entire sole. So quickly is the horny sub- 

 stance secreted, that on the following day a thin pellicle 

 will be found covering the whole, or part of the portion that 

 has been stripped of the crust. If it presents a healthy 

 appearance, then it should be very slightly touched with 

 caustic, so as to energize it. But if there are any symptoms 

 of proud-flesh shooting through it, then it must be again 

 subjected to an application of chloride of antimony and 

 tow placed over it as before. In a few days the whole 

 surface will be invested with a horny crust. If there is 



