594 The Book of the Horse. 



some extent and for a time be arrested by the application of a strong blister around the 

 coronet, and resting the horse for a month or six weeks ; but the malady is an incurable one, 

 and nothing in the way of treatment short of ncurotoniy — dividing the nerves of sensation sup- 

 plying the feet^is calculated to relieve the lameness for any length of time. 



It is not in every instance that this neurotomy operation should be resorted to ; it has its 

 untoward results, not least among them being a complete sloughing of the hoof, hence it is 

 far better in some cases to dispose of the horse to work upon soft ground than to incur the 

 risk of rendering him utterly useless. The case to be selected for the operation should be in 

 an animal likely to be useful for harness work ; an unnerved horse is not safe to carry weight, 

 and he should not have rampant fore action, as he incurs a greater risk of fracturing the 

 navicular bone after sensation to the foot is lost. The disease should only have existed for 

 a moderate length of time, and the foot should have a strong hoof upon it, with a fair quantity 

 of horn at the heels. In the treatment of navicular disease neurotomy is a last resource, and 

 does not always, even in selected cases, succeed, but if the above points are borne in mind 

 when selecting the subject for the operation, its performance will not unfrequently render the 

 horse useful for ordinary work for years afterwards. 



Qnittor is a sinuous ulcer in the coronet, caused by local injury, neglected cases of prick 

 in shoeing, and suppurating corns. 



Poll Evil and Fistula of the Withers are maladies of the same type. These diseases 

 require all the ability and skill of practical veterinary surgeons to treat successfully. 



Seedy Toe is a name given to a disease affecting the wall of the foot, associated with a 

 separation between the tables of horn composing the wall. This separation commences at the 

 plantar portion, and, unless arrested by treatment, will continue in an upward direction until 

 the horse's foot is ruined. This is another case requiring skilled aid. 



Lauipass. — Occasionally the gums or bars become congested, swell, and protrude beyond 

 the wearing surface of the incisor teeth, rendering the mouth so tender the horse cannot eat. 

 It is commonly owing to the teething process. This is called lampass ; and the old race of 

 farriers were in the habit of treating it with their favourite remedy — the application of a red- 

 hot iron — a brutal piece of ignorant folly. Gentle laxative and mash diet will generally reduce 

 the congestion and relieve the animal. Sometimes it may be advisable to lance the gums, but 

 in this affection it is seldom necessary. 



Qniddiiig. — When a horse slavers profusely and drops his food while chewing it, his mouth 

 must be examined. It will often be found that from an irregular growth of the grinder teeth 

 he is unable to properly perform this very necessary mill-like operation. In that case the 

 projecting teeth must be carefully filed down. When colts are changing their teeth, between 

 two and four years old, their mouths should be frequently and carefully examined. 



Strangles. — This malady is common to young horses, said by some to be incidental to do- 

 mestication, an opinion which probably has arisen from the fact of its frequently occurring when 

 horses are first stabled. An attack usually commences by the animal appearing generally unwell: 

 it is noticed not to feed, there is a slight discharge from the nostrils, a chilly state of the body, 

 and other febrile symptoms. In a short time a swelling at the upper part of the throat, be- 

 hind the lower jaw, takes place, and there is a decided difficulty in swallowing ; ropy saliva 

 falls from the mouth, and the horse carries the head awkwardly, holding the nose forward 

 and elevated. In many cases the malady runs its course mildly and rapidly, an abscess 

 forms in the swelling of the neck, breaks, discharges, and the part heals without the patient 

 suffering much inconvenience, or requiring any treatment beyond good nursing. ]5ut in others 



