Plain Rules for Shoeing. 259 



tendon. &c, beneath, is seen under various circumstances. 

 It may arise from common bruises in lying upon the bare 

 ground, stone floor, &c, blows from sticks in the hands 

 of irascible grooms, &c, or the animal may cause it by 

 kicking. Lameness is rarely the result. The enlarge- 

 ment is best treated by the application of the ointment of 

 biniodide of mercury. 



Curb is sprain of the straight ligament situate at the 

 back of the hock, the result of hard work, severe gallop- 

 ing, rearing, blows, &c. Pain, swelling, and lameness 

 are often signally present. 



Treatment as for sprains generally (page 256), suc- 

 ceeded by ointment of the biniodide of mercury. Firing 

 is sometimes helpful. 



Capped Elbow.— A large swelling on the back of the 

 elbow-joint, composed of condensed tissue, the result 

 generally of pressure from lying upon the heels of the 

 shoe. In the early stages it may be reduced by iodine 

 ointment, but old standing cases need surgical interfer- 

 ence. The animal should wear a leather guard, the 

 heels of the shoe being shortened or covered with a 

 thick pad. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

 PLAIN RULES FOR SHOEING. 



Nature and Preservation of the Hoof— Inherent Power of Reproduction— Pre- 

 paration of the Foot— Stopping for Feet unnecessary— Dryness essential- 

 Foot Ointments— Weak and defective Feet— Bar-shoes. 



The experience of Professor Sewell led him to state 

 upwards of seventy years ago : — " I have seen more lame 

 horses while posting from Harwich to London than I 

 have met with in all my journey, and during my inspec- 

 tion of veterinary schools and public places in France, 

 Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium." In 1871 Pro- 



