Ill 



should be more numerous than common, on account of the 

 greater weight of iron to be attached to the foot. If the shoes 

 be not worn out, they should be allowed to remain on longer 

 than the usual time." 



NAVICULAR DISEASE. 



CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS. 



I am convinced that this disease in its pronounced and ad- 

 vanced form is not nearly of such frequent occurrence as it is 

 generally supposed to be. Its prominent symptom is progres- 

 sion upon the fore part of the feet, and a peculiar action that 

 betrays an unwillingness to . let the posterior part come into 

 contact with the ground. This symptom is the most easily dis- 

 tinguishable when the animal is going up or down hill. Upon 

 rising ground the animal often goes as if nothing ails its feet, 

 but as soon as it travels down-hill, it evinces a painful condi- 

 tion of the feet of a decided character, and a tread upon a 

 small stone will cause it to stumble badly, and perhaps to fall. 

 The difference also between its progression on hard or soft 

 ground is equally manifest. 



As a rule its progress and development is coincident with 

 the gradual co-arctation or closing in of the upper or lower 

 diameters of the hoof, and especially the lower or perhaps both 

 in some instances, the causes of which have been fully dis- 

 cussed elsewhere in this work. I regard its production by 

 accident or a false step as of very exceptional occurrence. An 

 occurrence of this nature may cause this disease in the hind 

 foot or feet, but it never occurs in those feet unless from acci- 

 dent. This condition is commonly associated with a condition 

 of the frog that appears as if it were drawn up into the centre of 

 the foot to be out of the way of the ground. 



The temperature of the foot as a rule is increased after exer- 

 tion in this disease, and, after standing in the stable for a short 

 time, after being at an elevated temperature, I have found 

 such feet to be abnormally cold. The blood taken from the 



