NAVICULAR DISEASE 613 



but in the former case the lameness will not be so marked as in the latter, 

 though the prospect of recovery will bo much less. There is always more 

 or less lameness ; but, in consequence of its affecting both feet, it is not so 

 marked to the cai^eless observer as in some much more trivial cases where 

 only one is diseased. The distinguishing sign, though not absolutely in- 

 fallible, is the pointing of the toe, and at the same time resting the hind- 

 leg on the opposite side so as to relieve the navicular bone of any weight. 

 In laminitis, the object of the sufferer is to relieve all pressure as much as 

 possible, by bringing the hind-legs under the body, and by bearing the 

 weight of the fore-quarter on the heels. Here, the reverse of the latter 

 attitude is observed — the heels are not allowed to take any pressure, and 

 the toes alone are placed at all firmly on the ground. This is marked in 

 the stable by the pointing of the toe (in each foot alternately, if both are 

 diseased, but in the one only, if they are not both affected). Out of doors, 

 the toes dig into the ground, the heel never being brought firmly down, and 

 frequent stumbles mark the difference between this species of lameness and 

 laminitis. The subject of navicular disease generally walks sound ; but the 

 moment he is trotted, he goes as if his legs were tied together, his stride 

 being shortened in a remarkable manner, but without exhibiting the peculiar 

 fumbling gait of the foundered animal. As in his case, soft ground suits 

 him, and he has no fear of plough, because his sole is hard and unyielding. 

 Many tolerably confirmed cases of navicular disease may, therefore, be 

 hunted, except when the ground is hard, supposing of course that they are 

 kept off the road ; but no plan of management will enable them to bear the 

 jars incidental to harness-work or hacking. When one foot only is the 

 subject of navicular disease, it often happens that it is smaller altogether 

 than the other ; but it is somewhat difficult to say whether this is a cause 

 or a consequence of inflammation. One thing is quite clear, that many 

 horses are met with, still perfectly free from lameness, in which there is a 

 difference of size in their fore-feet ; but whether or no these are afterwards 

 invariably the subjects of navicular disease, it is almost impossible to 

 ascertain. It is, however, the general opinion, founded on experience, that 

 when this variation exists, navicular disease is extremely likely to attack 

 the smaller foot, if it is not already there ; and for this reason, horses with 

 such feet are genex^ally avoided by the intending purchaser. 



l^he Treatment of navicular disease, as before remarked, is only successful 

 in the early stage, before either ulceration or adhesion has taken place. 

 If a horse with strong concave soles suddenly becomes lame, points his 

 toe, and shows other signs that his navicular bone is inflamed, he should 

 be treated in the usual way suited to inflammation, and at the same time 

 liberty should be given to the vascular tissues to expand, by reducing the 

 substance of the horn. Bleeding at the toe has the double good effect of 

 abstracting blood, and at the same time weakening the sole, so as to allow 

 of the expansion which is desired. The operation should, therefore, at 

 once be performed ; at the same time, the whole sole may be reduced in 

 thickness, and the heels lowered in proportion. The foot should then 

 (after the shoe is tacked on) be placed in a cold bran poultice, which will 

 soften the horn ; and the system should be reduced by the exhibition of 

 the medicines recommended under Laminitis, at page 606. But when the 

 disease itself is mastered, there is still a good deal to be done to prevent 



