216 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



persists, however, a seton may be passed through the frog; 

 should this not effect a cure, neurotomy (dividing the nerves 

 of sensation on each side of the leg), by depriving the foot of 

 feeling, will enable the horse to go sound, though it does not 

 cure the disease. In many cases this operation is productive 

 of much benefit, as it relieves the horse from great pain, and 

 allows him to be utilised sometimes for years ; care, however, 

 has to be taken by the farrier in shoeing, lest he wound the 

 foot by the nails j and injuries to the foot must also be 

 attended to with more than ordinary care, as the animal does 

 not feel any pain, and therefore does not manifest lameness. 

 It may be mentioned, however, that wounds and injuries heal 

 as rapidly in a foot in this condition as in one which has 



sensation. 



Pricks and Injuries in Shoeing. 



In the operation of shoeing, injury is sometimes inflicted by 

 the farrier, either through ignorance, carelessness, or pure 

 accident. Corns have been already alluded to as often due to 

 bad shoeing; but in driving the nails the sensitive part is 

 liable to be damaged by a nail being either driven into it, or so 

 near it as to cause pain and lameness. When the farrier 

 discovers that he has made this mistake, he usually withdraws 

 the nail at the time, and, if he leaves it out altogether, no harm 

 may ensue, provided dirt does not get into the part; if, 

 however, the nail be left in, or grit find admission, inflamma- 

 tion will be set up, which may run on to suppuration, causing 

 much suffering and lameness. The foot will be very hot, and 

 the animal, if standing quiet, continually resting it, or moving 

 it about uneasily, afraid to put his weight upon it. If tapped 

 with a hammer over the spot, or if the sole and wall at the 

 part be pressed upon by pincers, great suffering will be mani- 

 fested ; this is usually the guide to the seat of injury. 



Treatment. Remove the shoe, pare away the sole immedi- 

 ately over the injury, until it is quite thin ; make an opening 



