CORNS. 541 



Corns when new are deeply seated, and of a bright 

 crimson colour, requiring much digging with the drawing 

 knife to be found. When old they are black and near to 

 the lower surface of the sole, which has then only to be 

 scraped clean to perceive them. A corn, however, should 

 be followed with the paring knife to its source in the sensitive 

 part ; for horses with old corns only go well when fresh 

 shod and newly pared ; and as soon as the portion of sole 

 between the bars grows to a level with the surrounding horn, 

 the sensible sole receives a fresh bruise, and lameness again 

 appears. 



Treatment of Corns. — When a corn of moderate extent 

 tirst appears, it is not difficult by proper means to remove 

 it completely : but when it has existed some time, the 

 injured part becomes weakened, and the diseased action 

 established. As soon, therefore, as it is discovered, the 

 cure should be immediately attempted ; first, by removing 

 the shoe, then with a fine drawing-knife cutting away every 

 portion of horn around ; avoiding, however, wounding the 

 sensitive sole underneath. If any contraction of the heels 

 be present, the sole should be thinned till it yields to the 

 pressure of the thumb, and the blood appears like dew upon 

 the surface. A unilateral shoe should be then applied, 

 chambered opposite the weak part. Every third week re- 

 move the shoes, and pare the horn away from the seat of corn. 

 In this way corns may be cured at their outset. But having 

 become habitual and permanent, a palliative treatment only 

 can be pursued. In the first place, the pressure of the 

 horn must be guarded against by a regular and frequent 

 paring out of the sole ; and if the hoof be very strong, and 

 at all disposed to contract, the quarters also should be 

 attended to, and not allowed to become too thick. We 

 have also in very strong feet found the short shoe or tips 

 sometimes of the greatest possible service : to a weak foot, 

 a chambered shoe is preferable : when the weakness is very 

 considerable, or the corn a very bad one, a bar shoe, with 

 plenty of bearing upon the frog, is the most proper support ; 

 more particularly remembering, in these very aggravated 

 cases, to remove occasionally all the surrounding horn 

 likely to press on the injured part. Animals that could 

 not wear tips or bear a bar shoe upon the foot, have gone 



