DISEASES OF THE FOOT 173 



should be darkened; in serious cases, and when the animal is 

 heavy, it nnay be advisable to use a sling-; hot water fomentations 

 are to be preferred; the patient may be stood in a tub of hot 

 watei\ or heavy woollen bandages that have been dipped in hot 

 water and wrung out as dry as possible may be applied to the 

 feet ; the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 

 can be comfortably borne with the hands ; the results of this treat- 

 ment depend on the faithfulness with which it is carried out; 

 a poultice of ground flaxseed should be applied to the foot at 

 night, or during the interval between the foot-baths. This treat- 

 ment may be continued until the acute inflammation has subsided. 



If the animal is inclined to eat, it should be fed very little 

 roughness and grain. Soft feeds are to be preferred, and ojie 

 quart of linseed oil given as a physic. After a period of from 

 ten days to three weeks, depending on the tenderness of the feet, 

 the wall at the toe should be shortened, the sole trimmed if 

 necessary, flat shoes rolled at the toe placed on the feet, and 

 the animal allow^ed to exercise a short time each day in a lot or 

 pasture. As the hoof growls rapidly, it is necessary to trim it 

 carefully every three or four weeks and replace the shoes. The 

 wall at the toe should be kept short, but excessive thinning of the 

 sole should be avoided. 



The same line of treatment as recommended for the horse 

 may be used for laminitis in cattle. If marked diseased changes 

 occur in the feet, it is not advisable to attempt the treatment 

 of chronic laminitis, unless it is in valuable breeding animals. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Give a general description of the foot. 



2. State the nature and causes of side-bones. 



3. What are the causes of navicular disease? Give symptoms and treatment. 



4. \Miat are corns? Give the treatment. 



5. Give the nature and treatment of quarter- and toe-cracks. 



6. Give the symptoms and causes of laminitis. 



7. Give lines of treatment to be followed in the different forms of laminitis. 



8. How may laminitis be prevented ? 



