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We may now proceed to speak of the usual signs and methods of 

 detection and of treatment of pricks in the sole and frog. Very often an 

 animal, as soon as he is pricked, flinches and goes lame from the pain 

 inflicted ; and the nail when withdrawn is sometimes blood-stained, showing 

 that it has taken a wrong direction. When an animal goes lame after being 

 shod, we may frequently find the offending nail, by tapping lightly with the 

 hammer round the hoof; and we may endeavour to define the seat of the 

 injury more exactly, by pinching the crust with the pincers, in the region of 

 the suspected spot. When the shoe has been removed, "matter" not 

 uncommonly oozes from the hole made by the intruding nail ; but the "matter" 

 will of course not yet be formed, if the injury be of recent standing. When 

 the injured spot is found, it will be necessary to pare out the puncture with 

 the searcher, at the same time being very careful not to injure the sensitive 

 parts. By this means the " matter " is liberated. If it is still left pent up in the 

 foot, quittor, and still more extensive disease of the structures within the 

 hoof, will most probably ensue. Some practitioners prefer to cut down upon 

 the nail from the outside of the hoof, with the view of running less risk of 

 injuring the sensitive parts of the foot. We, however, do not recommend • 

 this method of procedure, but prefer the usual method of cutting away the 

 separated horn. If the injury be not serious, and there be but a little 

 "matter" oozing out of the hole, but not very great lameness, a little tow, 

 saturated with tincture of myrrh, may be passed into the wound, and the foot 

 carefully poulticed with bran. Sometimes blacksmiths and others use 

 turpentine, or certain very deleterious mixtures for dressing such wounds. 

 *We are now attending a case of severe lock-jaw in a yearling thoroughbred, 

 valued at £i,ooo. The owner had been dressing an injury in the sole with 

 turpentine, for a fortnight before the disease manifested itself. We cannot 

 too strongly condemn such practices, as we have repeatedly seen the injured 

 member made ten times worse than before, by such ill-devised means. 



In severe cases, the above-mentioned simple methods of treatment are 

 of course not applicable ; though in all instances it is necessary to pare out the 

 injured part, and poultice the foot, until the inflammation and lameness 



*We are delighted to be able to record that the foal referred to made a complete recovery. 



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