498 SEEDY TOE. 



and depth of the hollow. The condition of parts being ascer- 

 tained, the next consideration is, to what extent 



The undermined Horn ought to be removed. It is 

 quite certain that no re-union can take place between the under- 

 run or outer crust and the inner crust, as we may call that layer 

 of horn still coating the laminae. Neither can this excavated 

 portion of wall longer afford any direct support to the coffin 

 bone, though it is still concurring, indirectly, with the lateral 

 parts of the wall in sustaining the bone. Add to this, the 

 expediency of exposure and eradication of the decayed parts 

 of the hoof, with the view of arresting the progress of decay, 

 and we have the indications before us by which our future 

 proceedings ought to be guided. It is good practice to remove 

 as much of the hollow crust as will enable us thoroughly to 

 clear out the carious chamber, though in doing so, we should 

 not cut away more of the horn in front than is cpmpatible with 

 leaving such a bond of union between the lateral portions of the 

 wall as shall still serve as a firm stay to them in suspending the 

 coffin bone, upon which rests the weight of the body. If we 

 carry our cutting beyond this we do harm, inasmuch as we run 

 the risk, through giving way of the wall, of letting down the 

 coffin bone upon the sole. When the uniting shaft of horn 

 left is but a narrow one, a tight ligature of wax-end around 

 the hoof will assist in giving support. Exposure of the seedy 

 caverns to the greatest possible extent is always good practice ; 

 though in the pursuit of it we must suffer ourselves to be 

 restrained by the risk of so weakening the crust as to cause 

 lameness, and thereby throwing him, perhaps for some length of 

 time, out of work. 



Should Lameness Result from the sunk sole or clubbi- 

 ness of wall which now and then succeeds the paring deemed 

 requisite in such cases, and it be such as to prevent a horse 

 working, even with any shoe we can put on, a blister upon the 

 coronet becomes advisable, not only as being likely to relieve 

 the lameness, but as tending at the same time to promote the 

 secretion of horn requisite for a new wall, by the growing down 



