96 OF THE DISEASES 



prevent those serious after consequences which 

 result from its termination in effusion. The shoes 

 must be at once removed, and it will be necessary 

 to bleed, until the pulse is affected, from the jugular 

 vein or coronet, but not from the toe. Bleeding 

 from the toe is very objectionable in this disease, 

 because it renders tender the sole, on which it 

 is of the utmost importance to throw the weight 

 of the horse during the continuance of the acute 

 attack. Next the crust must be pared down to 

 the level of the sole. The effect of lowering 

 the crust will be to transfer in a great measure 

 the weight and pressure from the crust to the 

 sole. It will, of course, be remembered, that at 

 this period of the attack there is no disease in 

 the sole. It may then be hoped, that by the relief 

 given to the laminae by throwing the weight and 

 pressure temporarily on the soles, aided by the 

 blood-letting, the inflammation will rapidly subside 

 and terminate in resolution. It will be advisable 

 also to place each foot in a warm poultice of bran 

 and linseed meal, which should be kept well 

 moistened by frequent applications of warm water. 

 The poultices should be renewed every twelve or 

 eighteen hours, or sooner, if they get dry or cold. 

 Abstinence from oats and even from hay, diet re- 

 stricted to wet bran mashes and grass if procurable, 

 with plenty of chilled water, and a dose of physic, 

 will assist in reducing' the inflammation. Great 



