226 INJURIES. 



immerse the foot in a bran poultice. In fact, our treat- 

 ment consists rather in expectant measures, than in any 

 benefit we can confer. Dressings of all kinds, save tar, are 

 to be avoided : where there is no disease, they can do no good : 

 their presence may and probably will do harm, for the tar 

 is merely protective. 



To show the mischief farriers have done, I quote the following from 

 James Clark : " A fine young chaise-horse, was pricked with a nail in 

 shoeino-, which being immediately observed, the farrier poured into the 

 wound oil of vitriol ! The animal, from so simple an accident, treated in 

 so barbarously ignorant a manner, was, after much disease and pain, and 

 suffering, in the end rendered useless." — Mr. Shipp, V.S., late 23d 

 Dragoons, relates a case in which a wound of the foot " was filled up 

 with turpentine and tar, and that set on fire in the hole!" 



Inflammation appears. — The case is now altogether 

 altered. We must think of our remedies for local inflam- 

 mation j bearing in mind that it is the foot we have to treat. 

 From time to time we shall require the aid of the drawing 

 knife. We must examine the wounded place thoroughly, 

 to ascertain whether there be pent up matter : should the 

 horse walk lame, and the hoof evince much tenderness on 

 pressure with the pincers, we may feel certain such is the 

 case. When the sole is under-run, it will spring more than 

 usual, and when made thin, feel hollow under the impres- 

 sion of the thumb : in which case, when we open the hoof, 

 the matter (become ash-coloured or black from confinement) 

 will spirt out with a jet, or else will be deeply buried in the 

 wound. When a prick from shoeing is of any duration, we 

 must follow up the nail-hole. When a puncture pierces the 

 commissure, it occasionally is necessary to remove the bar or 

 side of the frog; for, wherever we suspect the presence of 

 pus, to the bottom of its recesses we must extend our opera- 

 tions. Exit must be given to the matter by the drawing- 

 knife; since it cannot find vent for itself, unless it mounts 

 upwards and produces a sore on the coronet, between hair 

 and hoof; and unless it is discharged, there cannot be a 

 termination to the case. The matter being discharged, and 



