127 



sole must follow, causing an undue lateral strain outwards upon 

 the horny wall which is felt most at the toe ; and in addition 

 to this the toe is further weakened by the nick for the toe-clip 

 of the shoe, rendering the foot, especially at the toe, peculiarly 

 liable to concussive influences. 



I prefer this view of the origin of these cases to the parasitic 

 hypothesis, still, deeming it quite possible that its ravages subse- 

 quent to its disorganization maybe ascribed to parasitic action. 

 It may be regarded as a species of dry-rot similar to the dry-rot 

 of wood. There is this difference between Shelly-foot and 

 Seedy-toe ; in the former it is a thin external layer of the wall 

 that is separated, while in the latter it is the inner or laminated 

 layer that is separated from the body of the wall. 



THE GENERAL TREATMENT 



should consist of shoeing the foot in accordance with common 

 sense principles so as to promote the growth of a sound, healthy 

 foot, and this can only be done effectively by restoring the lost 

 functions to the heels, the sole and the wall, by the judicious 

 use of the Dilator. It is advisable to explore the extent of the 

 separated portions, to remove the debris, and arrest any further 

 extension of the separation by injections of oil of tar, turpen- 

 tine or carbolic acid. Measures of absolute cure must look to 

 the displacement of the old conditions by the substitution of 

 new and better ones, and the production of new and normally 

 fashioned feet. Stimulating applications to the coronet and 

 keeping the hoof under the conditions of moisture and exercise, 

 will promote this end in the shortest period of time that is pos- 

 sible. A run at grass or the freedom of a loose box is almost 

 essential in such cases. 



