THE HORSE'S FOOT: SHOEING, ETC. 125 



to such a length that in some cases the horny toe turns round and 

 up, and penetrates the pad at the bottom of the foot, causing great 

 pain, lameness, and inflammation. When this is observed, the feet 

 should be put into warm water to soften the horn, and the extra 

 growth of the nails clipped off with a pair of strong scissors or a pair 

 of hand-spring pruning-shears. 



216. The Pads of the Foot are subject to injuries from prods 

 and cuts, with nails, thorns, glass, etc. The foot should be carefully 

 examined, and if any foreign body is found it must be removed, 

 and the parts washed with a solution of chinosol or izal. If much 

 inflammation be present, put on a linseed meal poultice and muzzle 

 the dog for twenty-four hours or more ; then dress the wound with 

 tincture of benzoin once or twice a day. 



217. The Interdigital Space sometimes becomes excoriated 

 and inflamed, and when this is seen, wash the feet with izal or 

 chinosol solution night and morning, and dust the sores with a little 

 fine powdered fuller's-earth. 



218. Sore Feet. — At the beginning of the season, when the feet 

 of sporting dogs are soft, they are apt to become tender and sore, in 

 which case they should be well washed, cleared of all grit and dirt, 

 and then dressed with oil of cloves, creosote, or tincture of iron ; but 

 as a rule the dog has more confidence in the antiseptic treatment 

 of his own tongue, which generally answers much better than any 

 application that may be used. 



PIG. 



219. It is not often that veterinary aid is requested to examine 

 and treat injuries and diseases of the feet of the pig; yet, like the 

 cow and the sheep, foreign bodies, such as stones, bones, wood, and 

 nails, occasionally become fixed between the digits, but, as a rule, 

 these can be removed by the owner or his servant. When foot 

 and mouth disease was rife, pigs were great sufferers from the 

 malady, more particularly sucking-pigs, and when made to move it 

 was pitiable to hear them scream and to see them pick up their feet. 



