320 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



bleeds from slight injury and is often quite difficult to treat 

 successfully. 



Treatment. — Pare away the dead portion of the horn, 

 cutting the growth off with it. Bleeding during this opera- 

 tion may be quite profuse. To check this burn with nitric 

 acid. Apply it with a feather, after which cover the whole 

 of the bottom of the foot with tow and pine tar. In order to 

 hold the tow and tar in place and have a moderate amount of 

 pressure place a piece of sole leather between the shoe and 

 foot. Tack the shoe on with a couple of nails, so that it can 

 be removed easily in a c mple of days to apply a fresh supply 

 of tow and tar. Repeat this treatment every few days until 

 the growth is killed and the foot regains its natural condition. 



17. Coffin Joint Lameness (Navicular Disease). 



This is becoming a very common disease, and is met with 

 mostly in driving horses. 



Causes. — Hard and fast work is the usual cause. Animals 

 with short, upright pastern joints, short, stubby action, or 

 horses with high pounding action are more often affected 

 with this disease. Allowing the toes to grow too long and 

 cutting down the heels when shoeing them will cause it. 



Symptoms. — There is usually more or less lameness. In 

 some cases it comes on suddenly and is severe, while in 

 others it gradually comes on for weeks, and sometimes for 

 months, before it is much noticed. While standing he points 

 the feet out, and in some cases this is the first symptom 

 noticed. If both feet are affected the horse suffers pain and 

 while standing first throws the weight on one foot and then 

 on the other. In traveling he has what is known as a groggy 

 action. Another well marked symptom is a wasting of the 

 muscles of the chest. On examining the feet the heels will be 

 found to be contracted and hard. By raising the foot up and 

 pressing with the thumb on the back part of the heel the 

 horse is made to flinch. Notice the shoe he has been wear- 

 ing. It is found to be worn mostly at the toe. 



Treatment. — If a bad case of long standing it is incur- 

 able, but if taken in time it may be cured. Rest the horse 

 and bathe the feet twice a day for an hour or two at a time 

 (if in the winter bathe with warm water, if in summer use 

 cold water). After bathing apply white liniment around the 

 top of the hoof and every night poultice the foot with hot 



