634 OPERATIONS ON THE FOOT. 



Nails may penetrate the joosterior zone through and through,, 

 coming out behind the coronet, withovit danger. The sub-horny 

 suppuration may detach the frog and be the only serious compli- 

 cation to be met with. 



As terminations of all these injuries we may see resolution, sup- 

 puration, gangrene, softening of the tendons and phalangeal arth- 

 ritis, and as sequelae, bony tumors of the coronet, and anchylosis. 

 The most serious complications are the dropi^ing of the entire 

 hoof, the rupture of the tendons, tendinous and cartilaginous quit- 

 tors, for the injured hoof, and chronic laminitis for the opj)Osite 

 one. 



IV. JPrognosis. — This varies according to the seat of the 

 wound. Less serious in the posterior than in the anterior zone, 

 it is less in the last than in the middle, where the region is so 

 comphcated and the nature of the tissues so different. The dej^th 

 of the wound has also some influence on the prognosis. Wounds 

 of the plantar aponeurosis are more dangerous than those of the 

 plantar cushion ; those of the sesamoid sheath are more so than 

 those of the aponeurosis ; they are still more serious if the bones 

 are affected ; the worst of all is that of the joint. The direction 

 of the foreign body and its simple or complicated action, will also 

 influence the prognosis. 



This, we have already said, can be established by the severity 

 of the lameness. The nature of the foreign body must also be 

 taken into consideration ; if blunt, which crushes the tissues, it is 

 more dangerous than if sharp and jjointed. In a flat or convex 

 foot, punctured wounds are more serious than in a well-made foot. 

 They are less serious in heavy than in light draught horses, as the 

 former, though they may remain lame, are still useful. The 

 excitable condition of a patient will also alter the prognosis. 

 Wounds of the anterior feet are more serious than those of the 

 posterior. 



V. Treatment. — In all cases, the first indication is to obtain a 

 natural cicatrization and natural repair, always more rapid and 

 perfect than that which is gained by surgical interference. This 

 is generally easily secured, and for this reason it is important to 

 avoid too severe manij)ulation upon the injured foot. One must 

 watch the progress of the disease, give the foot as much rest as 

 possible, remove the shoe, thin down in its whole extent the plan- 

 tar hoof, so as to avoid any pressure, and keep the foot in a cool- 



