404 BUEEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



concave than natural, the heels are higher, and the bars are long and 

 nearl}' perpendicular. The whole hoof is dry, and so hard that it can 

 , scarcely be cut; the parts toward the heels are scaly and often ridged 

 like the horns of a ram, while fissures, more or less deep, maj- bo seen 

 at the quarters and heels following the direction of the horn fibers. 

 (Plate XXXIII, fig. 10.) When the disease is well advanced, lame- 

 ness is present, while in the earlier stages there is only an uneasiness 

 evinced by frequent shifting of the affected foot. Stumbling is 

 common, especially on hard or rough roads. In most cases the animal 

 comes out of the stable stiff and inclined to walk on the toe, but after 

 exercise he may go free again. He wears his shoes off' at the toe in a 

 short time, no matter whether he works or remains in the stable. 

 If the shoo is removed and the foot pared in old cases, a dry, mealy 

 horn will be found where the sole and wall unite, extending upward 

 in a narrow line toward the quarters. 



Treatment. — First of all, the preventive measures must be consid- 

 ered. The feet are to be kept moist and the horn from drying out by 

 the use of damp sawdust or other bedding; b}^ occasional poultices of 

 boiled turnips, linseed meal, etc., and greasj^ hoof ointments to the 

 sole and walls of the feet. The wall of the foot should be spared from 

 the abuse of the rasp; the frog, heels, and bars are not to be mutilated 

 with the knife, nor should calks be used on the shoe except when 

 absolutely necessary. The shoes should be reset at least once a month, 

 to prevent the feet from becoming too long, and daily exercise must 

 be insisted on. 



As to curative measures a diversity of opinion exists. A number 

 of kinds of special shoes have been invented, having for an object the 

 spreading of the heels, and perhaps any of these, if properh' used, 

 would eventually effect the desired result. But a serious objection to 

 most of these shoes is that they are expensiv^e and often difficult to 

 make and apply. The method of treatment which I have adopted is 

 not only attended with good results, but is inexpensive, if the loss of 

 the patient's services for a time is not considered a part of the ques- 

 tion. It consists, first, in the use of poultices or baths of cold water 

 until the horn is thoroughly softened. The foot is now prepared for 

 the shoe in the usual way, except that the heels are lowered a little, 

 and the frog remains untouched. A shoe, called a "tip," is made by 

 cutting off" both branches at the center of the foot and drawing the 

 ends down to an edge. The tapering of the branches should begin at 

 the toe, and the shoe should be of the usual width, with both the upper 

 and lower surfaces flat. This tip is to be fastened on with six or eight 

 small nails, all set well forward, two being in the toe. AVith a com- 

 mon foot rasp begin at the heels, close to the coronet, and cut away 

 the horn of the wall until only a thin layer covers the soft tissues 

 beneath. Cut forward until the new surface meets the old 2^ or 3 



