DISEASES AFFECTING THE FEET 



expansion. When the cartilages are calcified 

 (side-bone), they lose their elasticity and adapta- 

 tion to the expansion of the soft structures 

 previously referred to, consequently are a 

 frequent cause of lameness. There is a lateral 

 cartilage on the inner and outer side of each 

 foot, and either or both are subject to the 

 disease change alluded to. 



BRITTLE HOOF 



Sometimes the hoof becomes exceedingly 

 brittle owing to its dryness, which is particularly 

 liable to occur if a hunter is kept upon a dry, 

 sandy soil, or in a hot climate, where the soil is 

 of a similar nature. A foot in this condition is 

 always a source of trouble, and renders shoeing 

 particularly difficult, moreover, it predisposes to 

 other troubles. To remedy this defect, greasy 

 applications applied to the hoof daily are useful, 

 by checking the loss of water from the horn. 

 The frequent application of cold water to the 

 feet acts in a similar manner. The best 

 remedy is, of course, to graze the animal on 

 marshy land. 



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