DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 897 



pumiced sole resulting from founder. When the whole thickness of 

 the sole is discolored and the horn dry and brittle, it is generalh' evi- 

 dence that the corn is an old one and that the exciting cause has 

 existed continuousl3\ A moist corn differs from the dry corn in that 

 the injury is more severe; the parts affected are more or less inHamed, 

 and the horn of the sole in the angle is undermined by a citron-colored 

 fluid, which often permeates the injured sole and lamina?, causing the 

 horn to become somewhat spongy. 



A suppurative corn differs from others in that the inflammation ends 

 in suppuration. The pus collects at the point of injur}^ and finally 

 escapes by working its way between the sensitive and insensible 1am- 

 in83 to the top of the hoof, where an opening is made between the wall 

 and coronar}^ band at or near the heels. This is the most serious form 

 of corns, for the reason that it may induce gangrene of the plantar 

 cushion, cartilaginous quittor, or caries of the cofiinbone. 



Treatment. — Since a diversit}' of opinion exists as to what measures 

 must be adopted for the radical cure of corns, the author will advise 

 the use of those which have proven most efficient in his hands. 



As in all other troubles, the cause must be discovbred, if possible, 

 and removed. In the great majoritj^ of cases the shoeing will be at 

 fault. While sudden changes in the method of shoeing are not advis- 

 able, it may be said that all errors, either in the preparation of the 

 foot, in the construction of the shoe, or in its application may very 

 properl}^ be corrected at an}'^ time. Circumstances may at times make 

 it imperative that shoes shall be worn which are not free from objec- 

 tions; as, for instance, the shoe with a high calk; but in such cases it 

 is considered that the injuries liable to result from the use of calks are 

 less serious than those which are sure to happen for the want of them. 



For a sound foot perfectly formed, a flat shoe, with heels less thick 

 than the toe, and which rests evenl}^ on the wall proper, is the best. 

 In flat feet it is often necessary to concave the shoe as miTch as possi- 

 ble on the upper surface, so that the sole may not be pressed upon. 

 If tlie heels are ver}- low the heels of the shoe maj^ be made thicker. 

 If the foot is very broad and the wall light toward the heels, a bar- 

 shoe resting upon the frog will aid to prevent excessive tension upon 

 the soft tissues when the foot receives the weight of the body. A 

 piece of leather placed between the foot and shoe serves largel}^ to 

 destroy concussion, and its use is absolutel v necessar}^ on some animals 

 to enable them to work. 



Last among the preventive measures may be mentioned those wdiich 

 serve to maintain the suppleness of the hoof. The dead horn upon 

 the surface of the sole not only retains moisture for a long time, but 

 protects the living horn beneath from the effects of evaporation; for 

 this reason the sole should be pared as little as possible. Stuffing the 



