DETECTION OF THE SEAT OF LAMENESS. 15 



be inspected. It is well to remember that the left hoof is 

 frequently normally smaller than the right one ; yet the 

 writer has seen horses with the right hoof smaller than the 

 left one, although they had never been lame. Compare 

 the size, slope, depth and breadth of the heels of the two 

 feet. 



In cases of hoof lameness of long standing, the lame foot 

 is usually smaller and narrower than the sound one. If 

 inspection leaves any doubts, the eye may be greatly 

 assisted by measuring the various parts with a compass. 



Inspect the coronary region, the horny wall and the 

 shoe. The latter immediately becomes of great importance 

 if lameness follows recent shoeing ; in such cases the fit of 

 the shoe, its length and shape, as well as the seat of the 

 nails, are to be closely examined. 



One also tests the pulsation of the arteries on the 

 fetlock, an increased throbbing invariably pointing to an 

 acute inflammation of the podophyllous membrane. This 

 latter symptom can also be produced to some extent by any 

 pressure upon the blood vessels of that region, as, for 

 instance, swellings of the skin or subcutis about the coronet 

 or fetlock ; but the pulsation thus brought on is never as 

 intense as the one following an acute inflammation, and 

 really is more a fulness of those vessels. 



A positive diagnosis of an acute inflammatory process 

 within the horny box can be made if there is an absence of 

 swelling along the phalanges and presence of increased 

 throbbing in the arteries along the fetlock. Even then the 

 pulsation in the arteries of the lame foot is to be compared 

 with that of the sound one. Of course the increased 

 pulsation following exercise is not to be mistaken as an 

 indication of disease. 



