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100 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



CHAPTER IV. 



D18EASES OF THE FEET. 

 ULCERATION OP THE FOOT; OR, NAVICULAR DISEASE. 



There is one species of lameness to which the horse is 

 subject that has puzzled the farmer and scientific practitioner 

 not a little. Very little is known in relation to it, beyond 

 its external developments. It is not very frequent, yet some- 

 times occurs. The only wonder concerning it is, that it is 

 not found in much more frequent operation. 



The horse is discovered to be lame ; but what the part is 

 •that is afiected is the question with the owner. The trouble 

 sometimes seems to be in the foot, and then again in the 

 shoulder. At times the animal limps, as though pricked by 

 a nail. After a while the lameness passes away so nearly that 

 it is scarcely noticeable; but presently it returns worse than 

 ever. All this time a disease has been establishing itself in 

 the back part of the foot — the heel — which, if neglected, 

 will ruin the horse entirely. This has been called the dis- 

 ease of the navicular joint. 



There is a bone lying between the coffin-bone and lower 

 pastern, which, extending some distance back of these, forms 

 the projection of the heel, and rests upon the frog. It is 

 denominated the shuttle or navicular bone, the latter name 

 being given to it on account of its supposed resemblance in 

 shape to the outline of a ship. Its use seems to be to im- 

 part increased solidity to the connection between the coffin- 

 bone and the joint above, and to enable the flexor tendon 

 which passes over it, and is inserted into the bottom of the 

 coffin-bone, to act with more power and pliancy in giving 

 strength and motion to the foot. It forms a sort of joint 

 with the tendon and other bone. 



