NAVICULAR DISEASE. 339 



the point of the horny frog. In case it is the left foot 

 that is to be operated upon, the surgeon, if right-handed, 

 usually inserts the needle about an inch posterior to the 

 point of the frog, and brings it out at the hollow of the 

 heeljjthe object being to have the needle pass as closely 

 as possible to the diseased structures without wounding 

 them. In case they are wounded the most serious results 

 may be apprehended. The tape should be dressed occasion- 

 ally with some good digestive ointment, and a knot may be 

 tied in each end of it to prevent drawing out. It should be 

 allowed to remain in for two or three weeks, and a poultice 

 applied to the foot every second or third day : and the 

 frequent use of warm-water baths should be persisted in, as 

 besides allaying irritation and rendering the horn soft and 

 pliable, the discharge is also favoured and increased in 

 quantity. After the seton has been allowed to remain in a 

 proper length of time it should be removed, and the animal 

 given a run at pasture if the ground is soft ; and it should be 

 borne in mind that a damp pasture is better than a dry one. 

 If lameness is now found to have ceased, the animal may be 

 shod. The shoe should have a moderately high heel, so as 

 to prevent any undue strain being thrown upon the 

 perforans tendon. A round shoe may be used, as frog- 

 pressure can thereby be obtained, which is a matter of the 

 greatest importance. However, no particular mode of 

 shoeing can be laid down as a rule to go by, but the practi- 

 tioner should try various methods, as his judgment may 

 suggest, and the method that is found to answer best should 

 be practised. Different animals require different methods 

 of shoeing. If a horse is going to be used on a farm, the 

 ordinary flat shoe will answer very well. When an animal 

 is very lame, or has been lame for a long time, and relief 

 cannot be afforded in any other way, it becomes advisable to 

 perform the operation of neurotomy. By means of this 



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