212 



stream over an inflamed part, as in severe wounds, &c., in 

 whicli this plan is found wonderfully successful in allaying 

 the irritation, which is so likely to occur in the nervous 

 system of the horse. A vessel of warm water is placed 

 above the level of the horse's back, and a small India-rubber 

 tube leads from it to a sponge fixed above the part, from 

 which the water runs to the ground as fast as it is over- 

 filled. It is a plan very easily carried out by any person 

 of ordinary ingenuity. 



DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



Thrush is inflammation of the lower surface of the sensi- 

 ble frog, which while so inflamed secretes pus^ instead of 

 horn ; this offensive matter being exuded from the cleft of 

 the frog renders it sensitive to pain. The direct cause of 

 thrush is doubtless too much secretion, especially of a foul 

 kind ; but this result will never occur unless the horse is, 

 or has been, so shod, as to prevent a natural expansion of 

 the foot; and even where thrush has appeared it may some- 

 times be cured by the adoption of the "one-sided nailing." 



Corns in the feet of horses are injuries to the sole, 

 usually occurring in the angle between the crust and bar 

 on the inner side of the fore foot. They are caused by the 

 pressure of the shoe, or of gravel which is lodged under 

 the shoe. They are easily prevented, and when they occur 

 they are a disgrace to the smith who shoes the animal, or 

 to the groom who neglects to clean out the gravel which 

 accumulates between the shoe and the foot. 



They may be cui-ed, if recent, or greatly relieved, if of 

 long standing, by a proper adaptation of the shoe. The 

 sole should be (in the sound foot, as well as in that which 

 has corns,) cut away from the angle in question until it is 

 lower than both the crust and the bar, and these should be 

 so prepared as to afford an elevated support for the shoe, 



