154 SYMPTOMS OF NAVICULARTHRITIS. 



diagnosis when, from other symptoms, we have reason to believe 

 the disease is present. While the animal projects the lame limb 

 with less freedom and boldness than its fellow, he endeavours to 

 tread upon the toe of the foot and save the heel ; and in trying to 

 do so turns the toe in, at the same time that he steps short with 

 both feet. And now and then, as he is trotting along, he will sud- 

 denly drop most perceptibly upon the sound limb — shewing lame- 

 ness at that time evidently enough, though perhaps he shewed it but 

 doubtfully in running straight forward: in a step or two, however, 

 he recovers himself, and goes again as little lame as before. In- 

 spection of the shoe taken off the lame foot — testimony of action 

 too much disregarded — will shew by the marks of wear upon it 

 the manner in which the animal has been in the habit of treading 

 with the lame foot — how much, in fact, the toe is worn in com- 

 parison with the heels. The circumstance of the lameness being 

 aggravated by work and diminished by repose, taken into account 

 with this kind of action, enhances the value of any inference we 

 may deduce from action alone : at the same time such evidence as 

 this is not to be relied upon to the exclusion of symptoms of more 

 importance. 



There being no swelling nor heat or other sign of disease or 

 injury discoverable in the leg, or other parts of the limb, is nega- 

 tive evidence that the foot is in fault; therefore, 



The Foot should now be looked to. Its general aspect, 

 probably, is that of round and compact, approaching to clubby, 

 such as has been afore described ; perhaps rimmy as well around 

 the wall, which beneath the coronet exhibits a remarkable shelving 

 or falling-in ; a " stricture," as Mr. Turner has denominated it ; 

 perhaps, also, there is to be observed contraction of the heels, with a 

 strange falling off in the natural prominence of the quarters: I say 

 ** perhaps" to these appearances, because in a case quite recent, 

 and a first attack, all of them may, and most likely will, be absent 

 — the hoof will present literally its normal aspect; though when 

 the horse has been any considerable time lame, and when the 

 lameness proves to be a second or third attack, such afore-men- 

 tioned anormalities are likelv to be sufficiently marked to strike 

 our observation. 



