SYMPTOMS OF NAVICULARTHRITIS. 159 



proceed to their end, in army practice at least: — F 3, troop horse, 

 was first attacked in June 1836; secondly, in February, 1837; 

 thirdly, in June 1837; fourthly, in October 1837. C 6, another 

 troop horse, was attacked, first, in July 1843 ; secondly, in March 

 1844; thirdly, in May, 1844; fourthly, in February 1845 ; fifthly, 

 in September 1845 ; sixthly (and now in the opposite fore foot, 

 as well as in the original lame one, becoming, in fact, " groggy") in 

 May 1847. G 5, troop grey mare, attacked, first, in September 

 1845 ; secondly in April 1846 ; thirdly in July 1846 ; fourthly, 

 in December 1846 ; fifthly in May 1847 ; and still lame in the 

 same (the near) fore foot. 



Making a calculation of cases which have occurred under my 

 own observation within the last twenty years, I find that in army 

 practice a ratio of about one case of first attack in six or seven 

 may be expected to relapse. In private practice, for sundry rea- 

 sons which need not be mentioned here, the proportion of relapses 

 I should expect would be much greater; though, of course, in both 

 situations relapses must be greatly dependent on circumstances. 

 In respect to the likelihood of relapse, or to the interval of time 

 at which we may look for the return of lameness, that must de- 

 pend on the nature of the " cure" achieved, as well as on the kind 

 and intensity of the work the horse is either put to at once, or 

 gradually inured to perform. Prompt and energetic treatment, 

 succeeded by long repose, and a gradative introduction to work, 

 avoiding all such kind of exertion as is likely to jar the fore feet 

 much, affords the best chance of permanent soundness. In military 

 veterinary practice we know pretty well in what seasons, and 

 months even, we shall have occurring cases of navicularthritis. In 

 the spring of the year, or as soon as field or road work com- 

 mences, and especially at times when the exercising grounds have 

 become hard and dry from want of rain, we are certain to have 

 lame horses. " Screws" which have been loose before become 

 now loose again, and fresh cases make their appearance : such of 

 them as relapse again commonly shewing lameness at intervals of 

 three, six, and twelve months ; they being the periods of time at 

 which the cases, according to their nature and the season at which 

 they have occurred, are usually sent to work again. 



Permanent Lameness of the affected foot is the result to 



