CHAPTER XXI. 



DISEASES OF THE FEET — Continued. 



PUNCTURES OF THE FEET BY " GATHERED NAILS " AND BY " PRICKS " IN 

 SHOEING — IMPORTANCE OF THOROUGHLY EXAMINING WOUNDED 



FEET AND OF GIVING EXIT TO ALL DISCHARGES WEAK FEET 



LIABLE TO INJURIES — QUITTOR TREATMENT — FOUL IN THE FOOT 



OF HORNED CATTLE — FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP. 



PRICKS IN SHOEING AND GATHERED NAILS. 



A " GATHERED NAIL " may pierce any part of the sole or frog, but 

 most commonly it is found to have entered one of the commis- 

 sures of the frog, and about midway between its toe and the 

 bulb of the heel. If the puncture be deep, there is great risk of 

 its penetrating the navicular bursa. The treatment is removal 

 of the nail, paring of the part to allow the escape of pus, 

 poultices, and rest. 



Punctures or pricks in shoeing are of two kinds, namely, those 

 actually penetrating the sensitive structures, and those where the 

 nails, not actually penetrating the sensitive parts, are driven so 

 near as to cause bulging of the inner layer of horn, and pressure 

 upon the sensitive interior, leading on to inflammation and great 

 lameness, with or without suppuration. 



Many cases of pricks are caused by what are termed " drawn 

 nails;" that is to say, the smith, finding that his nail has gone too 

 near, or even penetrated the sensitive foot, draws it out and 

 drives it in again, taking a more superficial hold of the horn. 

 These cases are more difficult to diagnose than when the nail 

 causing the injury is not removed ; but with care it can be seen 

 that, although the naU-hole is pared out, a stellate discoloration 

 remains at the bottom of the cavity made by the knife. This 

 must be followed and thoroughly bottomed, or the suppuration 



