CORNS. 313 



extensive, permeates, and causes a reddened appearance of 

 the horn, when it is said to be a corn. It is situated 

 between the bars below, and the os pedis above. It is a 

 disease extremely common, and one to which all horses 

 are liable. Corns are of most frequent occurrence in con- 

 nection with the fore-feet, and are, when present, almost 

 invariably found on the inner side, and but rarely on the 

 external side. They are classified in various ways, pro- 

 bably the best classification being that in which they are 

 described as hard, soft, and suppurating. A hard corn 

 consists of an infiltration of blood into the horny tissue. 

 Soft corns are characterized by a certain amount of blood 

 being extravasated, more or less inflammation, and an 

 exudation of a serous character. A suppurating corn is one 

 in which pus is formed, suppuration occurring in consequence 

 of previous inflammatory action. This is the most serious, 

 and unless treated in time is likely to cause considerable 

 damage. 



Causes. —Shoeing, which may be said to be a necessary 

 evil, is, when improperly done, undoubtedly a very prolific 

 cause of corns. Horses with broad flat feet are more subject 

 to corns than horses having good strong feet. However, it 

 is of far greater severity when it occurs in the latter foot. 

 The ordinary seated shoe will not, as a rule, produce corns, 

 but corns may result from it owing to its being applied in 

 an improper manner, as, for instance, it may be applied in 

 such a way as to press upon the heel, and the animal being 

 driven, particularly on a hard road, the shoe bruises the foot 

 and a corn is the result. In shoeing by the Charlier method 

 the whole weight is thrown upon the sole and wall of the 

 hoof, and by this method of shoeing corns are exceedingly 

 rare. Broad-seated shoes are also good where there is any 

 tendency to corns. In some cases the bars of the foot will 

 attain an enormous size from some cause, as unnatural 



