DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



101 



The navicular bone and joint are liable to various injuries, 

 and especially to strains and bruises. They are also very 

 apt to become involved in all cases of injury to the frog, 

 which is much exposed to accident. It is cut or bruised in 

 traveling over stony roads. The careless smith frequently 

 neglects to pare it off, and permits it to grow until it presses 

 upon the ground ; or else knows no better than to pare the 

 hoof behind a great deal too much, by which species of mal- 

 practice the heel is made to drop too low, and the unpro- 

 tected frog thrust upon the ground. It is often wounded 

 by sharp stones, points of frozen earth, and the like. 



A. Os BafTraginis. 



B. Oscoronte. 



C. Os podis. 



D. Os naviculare. 



E. Perforans and perforatas tendons. 

 G. Inferior sesamoidal ligament. 



H. Cleft of frog. 



I. Side of frog cleft. 



J. Sole. 



K. Crust. 



L. Coronary substance. 



From these causes a settled disease of the joint is apt to 

 be produced. Deep-seated ulcers occur, and the membrane 

 and tendon are eaten away. An abscess is sometimes formed, 

 which breaks, at length, and copious discharges of matter 

 continue for a long time. When this happens, the horse 

 may recover, as this is the ver}^ end always to be sought in 



