380 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



attacliment, and occasion much lameness. It is, therefore, better 

 to modify any lameness which they may occasion by properly 

 adjusted shoes. Should these prove insufficient, the diseased 

 portion may be isolated by grooving, as in the process of strip- 

 ping, but the horn left unstripped. 



SEEDY-TOE. 



This term is applied to a perverted secretion of horn at the 

 lower margin of the os pedis, by which the crust becomes de- 

 tached from the horny laminae. 



It is often a result of laminitis, or of the pressure of the clip 

 of the shoe. It consists in the formation, by the surfaces of the 

 sensitive laminae, of a cheesy or mealy imperfect horn, which is 

 incapable of maintaining the union between the outer wall and 

 laminae. Being more rapidly secreted than healthy horn, it 

 causes a separation of the crust from the laminae, and of the 

 sole from the lower margin of the os pedis. Eapidly drying, it 

 shrinks in bulk, causing a vacant space between them, which 

 emits a hollow sound when percussion is applied to the wall. 

 When very extensive, there is usually a bulging of the wall at 

 the part affected. 



Although called seedy-toe, it ig not confined to that part of 

 the foot, being often seen in other parts of it, especially the 

 quarters. When not due to laminitis, or to the pressure of the 

 clips, it originates in some inherent cause, such as weak feet, or 

 in the weight-bearing surface of the foot being limited to the 

 wall by bad shoeing. 



Lameness is not invariably present ; but it must always be 

 considered an unsoundness, as it is easily aggravated, has a ten- 

 dency to spread, and great lameness is produced by the insinua- 

 tion of dirt and gravel. 



If treatment is to be adopted, it should consist in the removal 

 of all the diseased parts, and in the promotion of the growth 

 of healthy horn by blisters and moisture. Bar shoes, sole 

 pressure, and removal of shoe-clips are the instructions for the 

 farrier. 



Some people tliink that white feet are more liable to suffer 

 from seedy-toe than dark-coloured ones. This is a mistake, 

 seedy-toe being as often found in dark as in white feet, in the 

 fore as well as in the hind feet. 



