CAUSES OF CORNS, HGG, &c l^ 



mildest attack, being very conducive to recovery of the lost function of seTet- 

 ing the proper horny material. This, of course, will be attended to in every 

 other stage of the disorder, whereby moisture is applied to the dry brittle hooi^ 

 and conveyed to its most sensible part internally. On the uses and advan- 

 tages of this simple remedy I took occasion to say a few words when speaking 

 of frush at page 190, and reconmiend the application of a web-shoe grooved, 

 as an excellent auxiliary to the cure, liy kee[)ing on such dressings as might 

 be found necessary; and by allowing of speedy removal, it will also save much 

 time and labour to that description of persons who are seldom inclined to be- 

 stow too much of either. A number of other contrivances may be adopted to 

 apply the same remedy — for aflToriling cool moisture to the hoof, the readiest 

 of which is the leading him forth to a shaded place, and there tethering him 

 up, where he might stand upon the natural sod, grass, clay, or soft ground, 

 without a chance of running about to make the case worse, as would inevita- 

 bly happen. In default of this convenience, a good substitute is the sponge 

 boot, with bran poultice to cover the whole surface of the foot from toe to heel. 

 In all cases remember to keep out the sand, gravel, or dirt, which is ever 

 likely to insinuate '"'self and protract the cure, and, if not otherwise come-at- 

 able, an opening must be made for that purpose by cutting down one side 

 of the crack, as before recommended. Proud flesh will be found at this part 

 of the opening, which must be dressed with a solution of blue vitriol. 



If the crack be near the heel, merely thinning the horn and taking off that 

 part which bears upon the shoe, will assist the cure ; and whatever shoe may 

 be put on, care should be taken to prevent the crack from bearing on it : the 

 bar shoe for heavy horses is esteemed indispensable, and some ftrriers apply 

 it invariably. Others again fire the foot, from the upper half of the hoof, above 

 the crack, to the fetlock joint. This is certainly decisive practice, as the 

 hoof is renewed with new horny matter, being so supplied as to thrust oft' the 

 old one ; but all violent remedies should be avoided until the milder ones have 

 been tried and failed, which will not be the case with those means I have re- 

 commended above. 



The bearing of our EngUsh shoe being commonly on the outer surface of 

 the hoof, promotes the crackling and chipping off" of the wall. Mr. Teast's 

 shoe (see page 188) is admirably calculated to prevent this disorder, but is no- 

 wise calculated to cure it, when once the ruin has fsiirly commenced. 



THE CORN. 



Causes. — I shall not repeat what is already said on the two first-mentioned 

 appearances a few pages higher up, but merely add, that distortion and undue 

 pressure on the sensible sole occasions that irritation which brings on inflam- 

 mation of its edge, where the shuttle-bone, or heel-bone, presses down upon it 

 at every step, and causes the utmost bending that the minute elasticity of the 

 hoof allows of; but contraction of the heel, which accompanies hot, brittle, and 

 inelastic hoof, prevents its bending duly and truly, and lateral pressure upon 

 the quarters follows. The sole being thus unduly pent up, the circulation is 

 obstructed in its passage to and from the cavity of the cofl!in-bone, and a de- 

 posite of blood, which soon becomes offensive matter, is the consequence. Bad 

 shoeing, whereby the heels are pinched, also when the ragged hoof is left, 

 which may have contained particles of sand, will cause irritation, and end in 

 corn, or figg. 



Symptoms. — The mischief thus commenced within shows itself between 

 the bar and the crust, or wall of the hoof, in a dirty-red tumour, with greatly 

 increased heat. Lameness, in a degree proportioned to the badness of the 

 corn, is usually the first sympl-^m that directs our attention to the sole Figg 



