THE HORSE'S FOOT: SHOEING, ETC. 119 



one part of the body to another {metastasis) ; the retention of the 

 after-birth in mares after foaling, etc. It may be acute, subacute, 

 or chronic. The symptoms noticeable are that the animal is very un- 

 willing to stir, the body is thrown backwards, putting the weight on 

 to the hind-legs, w r hich are ' propped ' well forward under the belly, 

 while the fore-legs are extended well in front (Plate XVI.). It 

 moves with great difficulty and reluctance, walking on its heels. In 

 acute cases the breathing is heavy and hurried, perspiration rolls off 

 the body, eyelids are red, nostrils distended, pulse full and bounding, 

 and the animal stands persistently, rarely lying down. The treatment 

 consists of placing the patient in a loose-box, removing the shoes, 

 putting the feet into hot or cold water bran-poultices (cold for 

 preference), which must be kept constantly wet, and moving the 

 horse frequently round the box. The cause must also be ascertained. 

 If from overfeeding, a pint of linseed oil should be given, while, in 

 some cases, blood-letting is highly necessary and very beneficial. 

 If from an overdose of physic, doses of carbonate of soda — 1 ounce 

 each — may be given in well-boiled thin oatmeal gruel two or three 

 times a day. If retention of the cleansing is the cause, the mem- 

 branes must be carefully removed, as the smallest piece of the after- 

 birth left in the womb of the mare soon undergoes decomposition, 

 and the septic material is readily absorbed and carried through the 

 system, and in many cases induces laminitis of a septic character; 

 therefore the womb must be washed out by means of an injection 

 of 6 quarts of tepid water, containing 1 ounce tincture of iron or 

 some other antiseptic, while antiseptic medicine should be adminis- 

 tered (par. 1067, No. II.). A dose of the prepared solution of 

 adrenalin injected under the skin over the fetlock joints has been 

 used with success. Finally, round rocker shoes, as described under 

 Shoeing (par. 177, No. 6 ; Plate XV., No. 6), must be put on. At 

 times, in severe cases of laminitis, the foot has to be opened at the 

 toe to let out the effused material, as it is so great in some cases, 

 especially those neglected at the first, that, if not liberated, it causes 

 the sole to come down, producing great deformity of the foot. 

 Founder is, therefore, by no means a fit case for an amateur to 

 dabble with, and should have professional attendance from the first. 



