THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 155 



Treatment. — ^When the disease first shows itself, turn 

 the horse out to grass, after removing the shoes ; in 

 many instances this will prove successful. When 

 lameness to any extent exists, it is hopeless to attempt 

 a perfect cure. Innumerable have been the methods 

 of treatment, some of which have given temporary 

 relief, while others have produced a worse lameness, 

 where considerable expense has been lavished. Physic, 

 local-bleeding, paring the sole and rasping the quarters, 

 and sometimes scoring the toe, have all been tried ; 

 the application of wet cloths, &c. Add to all these a 

 continued rest for five or six months, and oftentimes 

 longer. After these means have been used, though 

 in some cases better, in many the heels have been as 

 bad as ever. 



Prevention is better than a cure, and by care and 

 attention the disease can generally be obviated by 

 keeping the feet properly moist, and with care in the 

 shoeing. 



Many mechanical contrivances have been hit upon 

 in hopes of working a cure in cases of contraction, hut 

 none have answered the desired end. 



At times this disease is accompanied with what are 

 denominated Corns. 



CORNS. 



Differ materially from those to which the human 

 being is subject ; they are soft and spongy, and have 

 a red appearance ; they make the foot very tender, 

 and will not admit of any pressure. 



They must be cut out with a very sharp knife, and 



