SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF NAVICULAR DISEASE. 



409 



should be made to diminish the pressure between the navicular 

 bone and flexor pedis perforans tendon, and, in the early stages, 

 to diminish inflammation. First of all the hoof must be 

 softened and permitted to dilate. The shoe should be removed 

 and the entire hoof immersed for twenty-four to forty-eight 

 hours in a poultice, frequently moistened with lukewarm 

 water. The hoof is then trimmed and shod. The points to 



Fig. 386. 



Fig. 387. 



Fig. 388. 



Fig. 386. — Showing normal relations of the bones of the foot and of the flexor perforans 

 tendon. 



Fig. 387. — Formation causing increased strain on navicular bone and perforans tendon. 



Fig. 388. — Showing the manner of trimming the hoof so as to diminish, as far as possible, 

 the effects of navicular disease. (The above illustrations are diagrammatic.) 



remember are (1) that the hoof should be somewhat more 

 upright than the fetlock, and (2) that it should be dilated. 

 The toe is, therefore, lowered freely, but the heels spared. 

 The frog is cut down to the height of the bearing margins of 

 the heels and a flat shoe, with thin heels and bar-clips, applied 

 and dilated to the extent of about i inch. The toe should be 

 ' rolled.' 



For the next four to six weeks the feet should be kept well 

 moistened. At night the animal should be bedded down with 

 good straw. The hoof, if its form allow, should, during this 

 time, be once or twice redilated. In any case, however, pre- 

 cautions should be taken by using fa't or ointment to prevent 

 the horn becoming dry. If a long rest cannot be given the 

 coronets may be repeatedly blistered with a 1 to 8 ointment 

 of biniodide of mercury. As neither shoeing, nor the use of 

 the firing iron, nor of blisters completely restores the action, 

 neurectomy has, for many years, been resorted to as a remedy. 

 It certainly removes sensation from the foot and once more 

 renders the animal useful, but the foot is then no longer spared, 

 and when the animal, especially if a hunter, is used on hard 



