FOUL IN THE FOOT. 



the fetlock. There are two sets of pasterns, two coffin-bones, and 

 two hoofs to each leg. The shank-bone is double in the foetus, but 

 the cartilaginous substance between the tw^o larger metacarpals is 

 afterwards absorbed, and they become one bone ; the lower bones, 

 liowever, continue separate. Each division has its own ligaments 

 and tendons, and is covered by its own integument. This gives rise 

 to various inflammations and lamenesses, which have been confounded 

 under the very objectionable term of 



FOUL IN THE FOOT. 



Hard and irritating substances often insinuate themselves between 

 the claws, and, becomingr fixed there, and woundinsf the claws on on(» 

 or both sides, become a source of great annoyance, pain, and inflam- 

 mation, and the beast suddenly becomes lame, and the pasterns are 

 much swelled. They sliould be carefully examined, the interposed 

 substance should be removed, the wound washed thoroughly clean, 

 and a pledget of tow, dipped in Friar's balsam, or covered with heal- 

 ing ointment, introduced between the cUws, and there confined by 

 means of a roller. Lameness from this cause will, in general, be 

 readily removed. 



The foot being thus divided, and the ox unexpectedly treading on 

 an uneven surface, or being compelled long to do so when ploughing 

 a steep field, the weight of the animal will be unequally distributed 

 on the pasterns, and severe sprain will be the result. This is indi- 

 cated by the sudden lameness which comes on, and by the swelling, 

 and heat, and tenderness being confined to one claw, and referable to 

 the fetlock or pastern, or coffin-joints. Rest and fomentation, or the 

 application of cold, with bleeding from the veins of the coronet, will 

 usually remove this kind of lameness. The bleeding may be easily 

 effected by means of a small fleam or lancet, for the veins of the 

 foot of the ox are large and tortuous, and rise distinctly above the 

 coronet, and climb up the pastern. It is the increased vascularity 

 which often gives so serious a character to sprains of the coffin or 

 pastern-joints in the ox, and disposes to stiff'ness of these joints. 



The foot of the ox, or that part which is enclosed within the homy 

 box, is liable to the same injuries and diseases as that of the horse ; 

 but they generally are not so difficult to treat, nor do they produce 

 such destructive consequences, because the weight of the animal 

 being divided between the two claws, the first concussion or injury 

 is not so great, and the animal is able afterwards to spare the injured 

 claw, by throwing a considerable portion or the whole of the weight 

 on the sound one. Injuries of the feet arise from pricking in shoeing, 

 wounds from nails or glass, or from the sole being bruised, and some- 

 times the horn being worn almost through, by travelling or working 

 on hard roads. 



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