380 INFLAMMATION OF STEUCTUEES ENCLOSED BY THE HOOF. 



that the position and direction of the nail holes in the shoe- 

 must be carefully examined. 



Treatment. — If the horse flinch while a particular nail is 

 being driven, the nail should at once be removed, the hole- 

 disinfected with a few drops of carbolic oil (5 per cent.) and 

 closed with wax. There is seldom any bad result. But when 

 bleeding follows, the shoe should once more be carefully tried,, 

 and only affixed when it is seen to fit perfectly and the nail 

 holes to exactly correspond with the white line ; the nails 

 should be left out in the neighbourhood of the injury and the- 

 latter disinfected and closed with wax or tar. After severe 

 stabs or pricks a more or less well-marked infiammation of the 

 coriiim is to be expected, though it may be prevented by 

 cutting out and disinfecting the injured part, resting the- 

 animal, and using cold poultices. When, however, the wound 

 is clean and fresh no good object is served by cutting it out. 



' Binding ' (or nail pressure) often remains undetected until' 

 pain becomes severe. In such cases the offending nail when 

 withdrawn is usually covered with, or followed by, pus, or a. 

 dark coloured, sometimes stinking fluid. To allow the freest 

 possible exit for this discharge it is advisable to remove all 

 horn which has become ' underrun,' i.e., which is separated from 

 the sensitive tissues. The particular nail hole may be cut out 

 sufficiently to accommodate the little finger, the surrounding 

 parts of the sole well thinned, and discharge assisted by 

 warm baths or poultices. Excessive paring is to be avoided. 

 If pain continues after removing the nail and allowing the pus^ 

 to escape, warm baths of 3 to 5 per cent, carbolic solution are 

 very useful. The moisture and warmth soften the horn and 

 diminish pain. 



If after two or three warm baths the pain is diminished or 

 not very severe, a few drops of carbolic oil or tincture of myrrh 

 may be applied to the injured part and the opening closed 

 with a little carbolic jute or wood wool. In most cases com- 

 plete recovery will soon occur. If shod so as to prevent 

 pressure on the injured spot, horses which have been pricked 

 can often be returned to work in a few days. The shoe must 

 take its bearing only on the wall, and pressure on the white 

 line and margin of the sole must be avoided. No nails should, 

 be driven in the neighbourhood of the injury. Although, when 



