DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 243 



feet healthy never allow the smith to use the knife 

 nor put calkins on the shoes, and barring accident 

 you will not be troubled with bad feet. 



Disease of the Superior Part of the Coffin Bone. 

 — This form of disease may happen to either the 

 fore or hind feet, the result of blows and treads by 

 the other foot, especially if it is shod with shoes 

 with long, sharp calkins, or from over-extension 

 of the front tendon at its attachment to the bone. 



Symptoms: There will be lameness, and by and 

 by a swelling appears at the top of the hoof in 

 front. It is very tender and hot to the touch, will 

 vary in size from that of a bean to a pigeon's egg. 

 The animal puts its heel to the ground first in 

 order to save the front. Matter usually forms, and 

 the part sloughs, leaving an angry sore, which is 

 very difficult to heal. In some cases after the lame- 

 ness the first thing noticed will be a discharge of 

 a thin, watery matter from the top of the hoof. 



Treatment: If the animal has a high-heeled 

 shoe have it removed, as the heel should be kept 

 as low as possible. Foment the foot with hot 

 water and put on a linseed meal poultice for a few 

 days, and if matter still keeps discharging and the 

 part bulging upward and extending over the hoof, 

 cut away a little of the hoof with a sharp knife. If 

 the hoof presses on the tender part it will increase 

 the pain. Then roll up two grains of the bichlor- 

 ide of mercury in a small piece of tissue paper and 

 press into^the wound. This will cause a slough, 

 in three days destroying the unhealthy tissue. 

 This will relieve the animal and leave the part in 



