DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 341 



altogether on tlie severity of the case, being sometimes so severe 

 as to render the animal useless, and in other cases so slight, as 

 scarcely to be perceived. 



Pointing, or resting, is an almost invariable symptom ; the foot 

 is generally thrust in a straight line beyond the other, but some- 

 times only slightly extended. 



Contraction of the foot is genei'ally the consequence of the 

 lameness, and is owino; to the horse not bearing the same weight 

 ujion it as before. Sometimes, however, the lameness is jire- 

 ceded by contraction, particularly by contraction of an insidious 

 kind. 



The nature of this disease is peculiar, and has been brought 

 to light by morbid dissections. Sometimes, it comes on sud- 

 denly, and then the injury, though severe, is more curable; but 

 generally, it is gradual and insidious in its approach, and is for 

 some time preceded by pointing. In dissecting feet alFected 

 with this disease, we find it existing in various stages. In many, 

 the sinew is found adhering to the bone, and then the action of 

 the joint is obliterated ; but the case may remain stationary for a 

 long time. In others the cartilage is abraded, and partially ab- 

 sorbed, and little bony excrescences appear on the surface of the 

 bone, or carious holes may penetrate its substance. In some 

 instances of long continuance, the sinew is found exceedingly 

 thin. 



The causes of this disease are either predisposing or exciting. 

 Long rest in the stable without exercise, the heat of the litter, 

 and the confinement of the shoe, all predispose the joint to be' 

 injured by a sudden bruise, on the horse being suddenly taken 

 from this state of rest to fast work on the hard road. The 

 same causes, too, produce a morbid thickness of the horny 

 sole, with some contraction of the hoof, whereby the navicular 

 joint has a hard unyielding surface to rest on, instead of a soft 

 cushion, and thus becomes more likely to have its synovial mem- 

 brane bruised from concussion. 



The treatment of this disease is not generally attended Avith 

 success ; if ulceration has commenced, we may relieve, but can- 

 not cure. If the horse become suddenly lame, our chances of 

 success are greater, as then inflammation alone may exist. The 

 sole should be pared thin, the quarters rasped, the toe shortened, 

 and threo to five quarts of blood taken from the foot, by opening 

 the artery at the toe. The foot should then be immersed in a 

 linseed meal poultice, and so continued for a week, after which 

 a frog seton may be inserted, and kept in for a month. 



If after this treatment the horse is not considerably better, we 

 may then despair of success, unless we have recourse to the 

 nerve operation, by which we may remove the lameness, although 

 we cannot eradicate the disease. — Ed.] 



z 3 



