238 DISEASES OP HORSES. 



of the shoe, or from something getting between the shoe and the 

 horny heel, A shoe too long worn is a very common cause, and a 

 still more frequent one is the clubbing the heels of the shoe ; neither 

 is it necessary to the production of corns that the shoe itself should 

 press on the sole ; but they are equally produced when the outer 

 horn of the heels or of the bars, is the immediate offending part 

 rendered so by two luxuriant growth, by unequnl wear, or by 

 secondary pressure from the shoe, or by gravel working in. It is 

 the fleshy sole itself that is bruised, from which a speck of extra- 

 vasated blood follows, and if not immediately relieved it gathers, or 

 the part becomes habitually defective, and instead of forming healthy 

 horn, it always afterwards forms a spongy substance of extreme 

 sensibility, and thus always is liable to produce pain and lameness 

 when exposed to pressure. 



102. The treatment of corns is seldom difficult or unsuccessful 

 at their first appearance, but afterwards it can be only palliative. 

 Blaine directs that by means of a fine drawing knife every portion 

 of diseased horn should be pared away, and the extravasation under- 

 neath likewise. Having done this, he advises to introduce some 

 butter of antimony into the opening, to place over this some tow, 

 which should be kept in its place by means of a splint. If any 

 contraction of the heels be present it will materially assist the cure 

 to lower them, and to thin the hoof a little around the quarters, and 

 afterwards to put on a shoe without heels opposed to the corn, or 

 a shoe chambered opposite the weak part : or a bar shoe may be 

 applied so framed as completely to leave the heel untouched. Intro- 

 duce the butter of antimony once or twice more, with the interval 

 of two days between, and then turn the horse out to grass ; in about 

 six weeks time the foot will be sound. The treatment of corns, 

 when of long standing, does not materially differ : for although 

 they are never wholly eradicated, they may be rendered but little 

 troublesome. The diseased part must be carefully pared out at each 

 shoeing, and such a shoe put on as will completely free the heel 

 from pressure. 



103. Running thrush is always a dangerous disease, and few 

 errors in horse management are more glaring than the common one 

 of supposing they are necessary to carry off humours. If less food, 

 more exercise, cool stables, and dry standings, were substituted to 

 correct the fulness, instead of thrushes, which invariably contract 

 the feet whenever they continue any length of time, it would save 

 many valuable horses. To the cure, begin by cleaning out all the 

 fissures of the frog from loose ragged hern, and then introduce to 



