NAVICULAR DISEASE. 335 



tion of the hoof, pointing of the foot, etc., should be 

 regarded with great suspicion, and its nature demonstrated 

 if possible by a thorough examination. 



Syuiptoms. — Navicular disease is \e,ry difficult to detect in 

 its incipient stage. As a rule, the animal nurses the foot 

 more or less, relieving it of weight, and pointing it an inch 

 or so in front of its fellow. In some instances the limb 

 may be extended, and the foot held quite a distance in front, 

 of the other foot ; but these symptoms are not alwa 

 noticed, and when they are noticed, by no means constitu 

 absolute proof of the existence of disease, as an animal 

 perfectly sound will sometimes get into the habit of point- 

 ing, but in such a case generally rests one fore-foot and 

 the hind-foot of the opposite side at the same time ; he 

 also changes after awhile to the other feet, and rests those 

 stood upon but a short time before, while if an animal 

 points from disease, he invariably points with the limb 

 affected. As a rule, lameness is the first symptom to attract 

 attention : it may come on suddenly and be severe, or may 

 be gradually developed and be slight. On being first 

 brought out of the stable a slight lameness is observed, 

 which disappears with exercise, the impediment of gait, in 

 many cases, ceasing to be perceptible after the animal has 

 been caused to travel a distance of only a few yards — an 

 indication pointing to the existence of joint disease. The 

 same symptoms are presented the next time the animal is 

 taken out, causing the owner to devote more attention to 

 the condition than was accorded on its first appearance. If 

 both fore-feet are affected, the animal, on being allowed to 

 rest, may be observed to point first one and then the other 

 foot, and when coming out of the stable goes in a groggy 

 manner, being very tender, stiff, and short in his action, but on 

 going a few hundred yards and becoming warmed up, these 

 symptoms decrease, or entirely disappear. Another well- 





