DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 38 1 



and the heel pared out, the horn may be seen to be blood- 

 stained, but unless this is seen on removing the flakes, no one 

 should allow curiosity to lead to a deeper search. If suppura- 

 tion has taken place the tenderness is extreme, often causing 

 the animal to keep the foot raised and scarcely daring to touch 

 the ground with the toe, a tender swelling usually appears at 

 the coronet above the affected heel, and pinching or hammer- 

 ing of the heel is unendurable. A horny tumour may be recog- 

 nised by symptoms similar to those shown in keraphyllocele. 



Treatment. — If a recent bruise and uncomplicated, apply 

 either a bar shoe or a common one, but rasp down the bearing 

 surface of the affected heel to avoid pressure as advised for 

 side bones, and place the feet in water or keep the wall moist 

 with wet swabs, and the sole with oil meal or clay packing. 

 When tenderness has subsided, smear the hoof with ointment 

 and work carefully. Remove the shoe early enough to prevent 

 pressure on tliat heel, and in preparing the foot retain the 

 strength of the heel by preserving the elastic horn of the sole 

 Detween wall and bar. Never allow this to be pared and 

 veakened unless it be to evacuate matter or sand, or for the 

 •emoval of a horny tumour. 



If suppuration has taken place, pare down the heel until the 

 jaatter escapes, remove all horn detached from the quick, and 

 oare the horn around this to a thin edge, poultice until the 

 surface is smooth, dry and not at all tender, then apply a bar 

 shoe, a leather sole, and a stuffing of tow and tar or crude tur- 

 pentine (pine pitch). No pressure should be allowed on this 

 tieel until the sole has grown up to its natural level, as a sui> 

 port. Horny tumours may be removed by paring out and treat- 

 ing as above advised, until the sole attains its natural growth- 

 If old standing corns are connected with death of a portion ot 

 the heel of the foot bone or ulceration of the lateral cartilage 

 these must be scraped or cut off before improvement is to be 

 expected. If connected with side bones, they are liable 



