314 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



secretion, etc., and consequently, when the animal is travel- 

 ling, readily come into contact with some hard substance, as a 

 pebble or stone ; a bruise follows, and a corn is the result. 



Symptoms. — The animal is lame, in some cases extremely 

 so. If suffering from corns in both fore feet he usually points 

 the foot when he stands. The lameness may be best 

 observed by causing the animal to trot slowly. There is 

 heat in the neighbourhood of the part, the heat in some 

 cases being very perceptible. On squeezing the foot with 

 the forceps the animal flinches, and shows every evidence 

 of pain. If the forceps cannot be got, a light hammer will 

 do, which is to be used to tap the foot with, when if a corn 

 be present he will flinch, etc., as described above, and on 

 being trotted out immediately afterward it may be observed 

 that the lameness is greater than before. When walking, 

 as a general thing, the animal shows a strong tendency to 

 stumble. There may be a slight puffiness, and knuckling 

 of the fetlock-joint. To such an extent is this latter 

 symptom presented in some cases as to mislead as to the 

 seat of lameness. By cleaning the sole over the seat of corn 

 redness may occasionally be seen, and once in awhile 

 pressure upon this part with the fingers will elicit some 

 expression of pain from the animal. 



Treatment. — Kemove the shoe, and having decided that a 

 corn is present, cut or pare down carefully, using a suitable 

 knife. Digging down, as is so often done, is highly objection- 

 able. When the corn is reached, the pus, if any be present, 

 should be allowed to escape. The heel should be cut down, 

 and the sole pared until it feels elastic under the thumb, 

 but care should be taken not to go so deeply as to cause a 

 flow of blood. Give as much frog-pressure as possible, 

 place a poultice on the foot, and give the animal a few days* 

 rest; afterwards put on a bar-shoe. Generally speaking 

 there is no shoe equal to a round shoe in such a case. A 



