THRUSH 373 



The development of these tumours is slow and progressive, and there 

 is reason to believe that but little or no inconvenience or suffering arises 

 during their early formation; but as they become larger they not only 

 press directly upon the sensitive quick, but tend to cramp the whole of 

 the internal parts of the foot, and cause absorption of the pedal-bone. 

 The horse then becomes more or less lame. If the tumour is in front, 

 he inclines the weight of the body towards the heel. There may be a 

 bulging in the horn over the seat of the mischief, but it is just as likely 

 that no outward change may be observed. 



Treatment. But little can be done in these cases short of removing 

 the tumour, and this seldom succeeds in curing the lameness, and fre- 

 quently aggravates the mishap. 



Some relief may be afforded if the shoe be carefully seated out in such 

 a way as to remove the pressure from the seat of the growth. Should 

 the tumour be in front, a bar shoe gradually thinned off towards the 

 heels may be applied to the foot, so as to incline the weight backwards 

 and away from the diseased part. 



THRUSH 



Thrush consists in a congested condition of the sensitive frog associated 

 with a discharge from the cleft and a ragged state of the horn. It is 

 mostly seen in the fore-feet, although the hind ones now and again give 

 evidence of the disease. 



Causes. The causes of thrush are constitutional and local. In regard 

 to the former the malady is found more especially in animals of a plethoric 

 habit, and especially when too highly fed and allowed to lead a sedentary 

 life. Old animals suffer more frequently from thrush than young ones, not 

 ;so much on account of age itself as the diseases incidental to it. This refers 

 more especially to navicular disease, during which thrush almost invariably 

 occurs from time to time at longer or shorter intervals. Long standing 

 on hot, decomposing manure, or peat-moss saturated with moisture, is a 

 fruitful cause of the disorder. Bad shoeing, in the course of which the frog 

 is unduly pared and removed from contact with the ground, and allowed 

 to become hard, dry, and shrunken, is perhaps the most common predis- 

 posing factor. It often follows a turn out to grass during wet weather. 



Wherever it exists it indicates a disordered state of the vascular parts 

 of the foot, and should receive prompt attention. 



Symptoms. The presence of thrush is indicated by an offensive 

 discharge from the cleft of the frog. The matter is grayish-white in 

 colour, and varies in consistence from that of cream to that of soft cheese. 



