CHAPTER X. 



DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



Removing pressure means trimming the bearing surfaces of the foot 

 in such a way that the shoe can not cause pressure upon diseased 

 structures. 



CORNS. 



A com is the result of bruising the sensitive sole or sensitive laminsB 

 of the quarters or bars and appears as a reddish spot in the angle 

 formed by the wall and bar, usually on the inside of the front feet, 

 seldom, if ever, in the hind feet. 



Causes. — A rapid gait on hard roads; lowering one quarter more 

 than .the other; shoes so fitted that they press on the sole at the heel, 

 and shoes left on so long that the wail overgrows the heels of the 

 shoe and causes the shoe to press on the sole ; long feet, which remove 

 the frog too far from the ground, thus preventing the proper expan- 

 sion of the foot. 



Treatment. — First remove the cause by taking off the shoe ; shorten 

 the toe, lower the quarter that is too high, or correct any faults that 

 may have existed in the preparation of the foot. Remove all pressure 

 from the affected spot and'reshoe. 



In case of severe inflammation and probable suppuration, poultice 

 or soak the foot until the horn softens and pus appears ; open freely, 

 disinfect, remove all horn that is underrun by pus and then pack with 

 the "three sulphates" until suppuration ceases. Plug the corn with 

 oakum or tar and shoe with a bar shoe, removing all pressure from the 

 affected quarter. (The special function of the bar shoe is to produce 

 frog pressure.) The t^iree-quarter shoe may also be used. This shoe 

 will prevent pressure on the diseased spot, but it has a tendency to 

 give a rocking motion to the foot in action. 



THRUSH. 



Thrush is a diseased condition of the frog, characterized by a dark- 

 colored discharge of offensive odor. 



Causes. — Uncle'anliness ; horses standing in stalls saturated with 

 urine, or in wet earth filled with decomposing vegetable matter. 

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