o 



98 INFLAMMATION OF STRUCTURES ENCLOSED BY THE HOOF. 



become chronic, and pathological changes in the hoof can never 

 be completely prevented. 



The animal may certainly recover sufficiently to be usedy 

 but its gait is always characteristic. The feet are not lifted 

 fairly from the ground, but thrust forvv^ard and set dov^^n heel 

 first. The heels of the shoe, therefore, wear most. 



In preparing such hoofs for shoeing, a large amount of the 

 prominent, bulging toe may be removed without injury. The 

 sole should be spared and the heels lowered only slightly. 



The choice of a shoe depends principally on the condition 

 of the sole. When this still remains somewhat concave an 

 ordinary shoe can be used, but if it is flattened or absolutely 

 convex a broad shoe, preferably a bar shoe (fig. 376), should be 

 chosen, especially if the bearing margin of the wall be broken. 



As long as the -toe continues sensitive toe-clips should be 

 avoided and a pair of side-clips substituted, the portion of the 

 wall lying between the clips being lowered ^ inch to prevent 

 pressure on the diseased toe (see fig. 375). 



In horses which have suffered from laminitis the shoe is 

 sometimes displaced forwards on account of the animal's 

 unequal tread. This may be avoided by providing each heel 

 or the heel prolongation with a clip (fig. 376). 



7. Keratomata, or Horn Tumours, 



consist in thickening of the inner surface of the horn wall (fig. 

 377). They are not common. Their most frequent seat is 

 the toe, rarely the wall of the quarter. Gutenacker regards 

 them as due to chronic inflammation of the sensitive wall with 

 suppuration between the sensitive and horny laminae. The- 

 pus is retained, causes partial degeneration of the sensitive 

 laminae and separation of the sensitive from the horny laminae. 

 After the pus has escaped through a passage established by 

 pressure or through an artificial opening, the space left is^ 

 only partially filled up, and, in consequence of the inflam- 

 mation, small prominences form on the free margins of the 

 sensitive laminae, which are the chief agents in the production 

 of keratomata. As the free margins of the sensitive laminae 

 increase in thickness the track of horn they secrete becomes 



