121 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 



human subject, being" a thickened deposit of a kind of hard 

 skin, and, from its crowding- into the sensitive surfaces, the 

 source of so much trouble and pain. The corn may be gen- 

 erated by severe contusions upon the inner sole, but it geu- 

 erallj^ arises from a lateral compression of the horny hoof 

 inward upon the sensitive parts. 



The vertical pressure of the horse's weight upon'the foot 

 bone is oftentimes so severe, and its winged extremities are 

 imposed down upon the underlying membrane and sensitive 

 sole so suddenly and forcibly as to bruise them against the 

 horny sole or shoe without. The bruise thus established 

 develops the wet or sappy corn, which consists of an effu- 

 sion of blood or serum into the pores of the horn, marking 

 its location by leaving a stain upon the outer sole. When 

 the stain appears dark, and is easil^^ removed by pariug 

 awa3% the corn is old and working out, but Avhen the stain 

 appears bright and ruddy, by penetrating further into the 

 horn, the corn is new, and needs attention. These corns 

 may be aggravated by additional injury, and terminate in 

 a more serious form, knoAvn as the superative, in which 

 case the sensitiveness will be greatly increased, causing in- 

 tense pain, and, as a necessary consequence, acute lame 

 ness, or finally resulting in laying the foundation for a 

 quittor. 



In preparing the foot for the shoe, if the horn should ex- 

 hibit signs of moisture or discoloration, caused by the 

 exudation of a sappy or wet corn, open the centre of the 

 part indicated, and gradually remove the sole, until the 

 foreign matter is released. The foot must next be dressed 

 down until it requires a perfect level basis. For draught 



