NAVICULAE-JOINT LAMENESS. 791 



gained by this : First. Raising the heels from the ground throws 

 the articulation of the pastern bone well forward upon the pedal 

 bone, relieving pressure of the navicular bone from the tendon sup- 

 porting it. Second, the removal of all pressure of the frog from the 

 ground, which aggravates the inflammation, and rounding the toe, 

 aids mobility, and thereby lessens the strain upon the joint. 



If there is much lameness and heat in the foot, provide a tub 

 or box, in which put water as hot as can be borne with the hand, 

 and sufficient to come up even with the ankle, and let the horse 

 stand with the foot in it for about an hour, keeping the tempera- 

 ture up to the point stated. Now take a bag, or cloth, into 

 which put a sufficient quantity of bran to envelop the foot 

 thoroughly, and tie loosely around the foot or ankle; pour on hot 

 water moderately, and then let the horse stand, allowing the 

 poultice in the meantime to become cool. If there is much inflam- 

 mation and lameness, this method of hot fomentation may be re- 

 peated two or three times during the day, until all the inflamma- 

 tion subsides. The usual method of applying hot fomentations is 

 to take several thicknesses of blanket or rugs, and after wrino-ing 

 them out of water as hot as can be borne, bring them around the 

 foot loosely, and repeating at short intervals as they become cool; 

 or a lot of bran or mud can be put in a box, and hot water poured 

 on until at the temperature desired, when the foot can be placed 

 in it up to the ankle, as before explained. The general practice 

 is to tie a poultice of bran around the foot, and keep wet with 

 cold water until the inflammation subsides, which would be good 

 treatment; but if there is much inflammation and lamenes.s, I 

 would certainly advise, as far preferable, hot fomentations con- 

 tinued for about an hour, then alternating with cold, and repeated 

 two or three times each day ; but letting the poultice or cloths re- 

 main on until cool will be sufficient for reaction from the previous 

 application of heat. 



If cold applications are used, it is important that there be suffi- 

 cient bran or wet cloths tied around the foot and ankle to keep 

 the parts thoroughly wet and cool, until inflammation subsides, 

 in addition to which the bottom of the foot should be kept stufled 

 with flax-seed meal, or anything that will aid in keeping the foot 

 moist and cool. If this is done, after about a week the attack 

 will usually pass oflf. After the acute stage has passed off', and 



