LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 159 



At rest the lame animal usually points with the afifected mem- 

 ber. Because of the fact that the distance is lessened between 

 the origin and insertion of the deep flexor tendon (perforans) 

 by this attitude, one may readily understand the reason for the 

 position assumed by the subject. Pressure on the navicular bone 

 is diminished and tension on the flexor tendon is relieved by 

 even slight volar fiexion. 



In acute inflammatory affections abnormal heat may be de- 

 tected ill the region of the heel. By exerting tension on the 

 flexor tendon, by means of passive dorsal flexion of the member, 

 evidence of hyperesthesia may be detected. With the hoof test- 



Fig-. 32 — "Pointing"' — the position as.sumed by horse havirg unilateral navic- 

 ular disease. 



ers one may determine supersensitivenss in most instances. There 

 occurs more or less contraction of the hoof in navicular disease, 

 but this is not to be taken as a cause of the affection, but rather 

 a sequence. 



In some cases of unilateral navicular disease there is a marked 

 contrast in size between the sound and unsound foot. HowcAcr, 

 one must not be misguided in this particular, for in some pairs 

 of sound feet there exists considerable difference in size. Finally, 

 by a change from the normal position of the foot to one in which 

 the heel .is somewhat elevated (as may be obtained by shoeing 

 witli big 1 heel calks), relief is evident, and in the opposite 



