io8 THE HORSE 



work of this description it is not necessary or advisable 



to allude. 



Diseases of the Feet 



Having acquired an elementary knowledge of the 

 anatomical construction of the feet we shall now consider 

 some of the principal diseases affecting these structures. 

 There are some foot troubles which cause, or rather lead 

 to the production of the most severe pain and its atten- 

 dant lameness, and the degree of this is usually proportion- 

 ate to the acuteness of the affection ; but there are certain 

 exceptions to this rule. It is customary to speak of the 

 lameness as being either acute or chronic, in accordance 

 with the duration and severity of the trouble. Fully fifty 

 per cent of lameness in horses is due to trouble in the feet. 

 Some diseases implicate the wall, others the wall and the 

 sole of the insensitive foot, whilst the frog and the 

 sensitive structures within the hoof are commonly 

 affected. 



In some instances permanent structural changes are 

 the result of either acute or chronic malady, and when, 

 this is the case the value of the animal as a commercial 

 asset is usually materially reduced, and, of course, if the 

 intending purchaser possesses a reasonable degree of 

 perspicuity he will pay the price accordingly. 



One of the commonest diseases, both in its acute 

 and chronic manifestations, but particularly the latter, 

 irrespective of age, sex, and breed, is that which is 

 popularly known as 



Laminitis or Founder 



and most horsemen are more or less acquainted with 

 this complaint. It is a trouble which is much more 

 disastrous so far as perm.anent damage is concerned when 

 it exists in its acute form. ■ It is surprising what a number 

 of horses working in towns develop f oimder as^'a sub-acute 

 affection, and the only indication, in the majority of 



