198 Diseases of the Horse. 



under his belly, and his fore feet advanced, so as to relieve 

 thom of as much weight as possible. When the inflam- 

 mation is active, the signs of pain are very manifest. The 

 animal trembles and quivers, his eyes glare, his nostrils are 

 dilated, he often groans with pain, and sweats moisten his 

 skin. His pulse is full, strong and rapid, and his breathing 

 is quickened. He is very unwilling to move; and, if 

 pushed backward, will elevate his toes and throw his 

 weight upon his heels, by a peculiar motion, on which 

 some surgeons rely to diagnose the disease quickly. Some- 

 times he will lie down upon his side for hours together, 

 with his legs stretched out, evidently relieved by this 

 position. 



If the hand is placed on the hoof and frog, they will 

 be found hot to the touch, and sensitive to firm pressure ; 

 the pastern arteries beat violently. 



When the hind feet are inflamed, the fore feet are pushed 

 under the body, to support the weight; while the hind 

 ones are extended forward, so as to throw the weight 

 upon the heels; thus bringing all four of the feet close 

 together, under the belly. When compelled to move, he 

 takes a kind of a jump forward; but prefers to lie down, 

 to escape the pressure on them when standing. 



Such are the characters of acute founder. But fre- 

 quently it is much less severe in its symptoms. In many 

 old and over- worked horses there is little heat or fever, 

 and the pain is not constant. After a day or two's work, 

 slight inflammation is excited, causing a lameness, which 

 disappears after a few days' rest, to reappear on the next 

 occasion. This is often mistaken for rheumatism. 



In old cases, when the disease has been often repeated or 

 badly treated, it leaves behind it a condition known as "pu- 

 miced foot," the appearance of which is quite characteristic. 

 On looking at the hoof it is seen to have a number of fur- 



