INJURIES AND DISEASES OF THE EEET. 207 



This stud method of winter shoeing has been adopted for 

 some years in Her Majesty's household cavalry, and is in use 

 in most of the continental armies. 



INJURIES AND DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



The foot of the horse, and particularly the fore-foot, is 

 especially liable to disease and injury. Some of the diseases 

 are so serious as to require the utmost skill of the veterinary 

 surgeon ; while others are so simple that, though it is always 

 better to obtain skilled assistance, an amateur may yet be able 

 to do something towards curing them, or at least directing a 

 farrier or groom how to proceed in cases of emergency. 



Treads. 



These are wounds at the top of the hoof in the region of 

 the coronet, and are usually caused by the animal placing one 

 foot on the top of the other when turning round, and especially 

 when weak or fatigued. Of course they vary in severity — 

 from a simple injury which does not produce lameness, to a 

 bruise or lacerated wound which produces great pain and lame- 

 ness. If not carefully attended to, especially Avhen severe, 

 very serious results may follow. 



Treatment. — The wound should be well washed if there is 

 any mud or dirt in it, and then dressed with a little tincture 

 of opium or compound tincture of myrrh ; or painting with 

 collodion will form a protective covering. If the wound is 

 lacerated and torn, all the loose parts should be detached, the 

 foot immersed in a warm- water bath or a poultice, and in a few 

 hours afterwards dressed with tow steeped in carbolised oil, 

 and retained by a bandage. 



Quittor. 



This is usually the result of a tread or other injury to the 

 foot, followed by the formation of abscess, in most instances at 



