210 Diseases of the Horse. 



fullj- noted, will be readily recognized. On examining the 

 foot it is often found hot, dry, and perhaps tender at some 

 points, especially on bearing firmly on the hollow of the 

 pastern. Tripping and stumbling are common. 



As the disease progresses, a contraction of the size of the 

 foot always follows, which may extend to the muscles of the 

 fore arm and shoulder. 



Treatment. — If this is commenced early, it will usually 

 succeed; but if postponed for several weeks, the horse is 

 ruined for life. 



As soon as the lameness appears, and is traced to its right 

 source, the shoe should be removed, blood taken from 

 the arteries above the coronet, and the foot placed in a cold 

 water bath for a few hours during the day, and wrapped in 

 a poultice at night. No exercise should be allowed ; and if 

 the pulse is fast, an ounce of saltpetre should be given night 

 and morning, in the water. Moderate doses of aloes (about 

 four drachms), in a pint of water, will be of benefit. 



If, after a fortnight, the disease is not conquered, a blister 

 should be placed around the coronet; and this not bringing 

 prompt relief, a seton should be put into the frog, as 

 follows : 



If the near foot is to be operated upon, the needle should 

 be introduced from the frog upward; but if the off foot, 

 from the heel downward. The frog should be well pared, 

 a sharp-pointed, short, curved needle chosen, and its course 

 not made too deep, as the sinew might be wounded. The 

 point of the needle should be introduced about one inch 

 from the toe, and brought out midway between the bulbs of 

 the frog and the forward boundary of the hollow of the heel. 

 The ends of the ^ape are then tied together, and the seton 

 is dressed daily, for three weeks or a month. This will 

 usually be found to cure the lameness; but if it does not, 



