FOOT DISEASES. 79 



by the fact that no diseases can be detected elsewhere or 

 of a different kind. In lameness of other portion, not 

 in the foot we have heat and sivelling — the hoof or foot 

 of the horse cannot swell. It is a box and we cannot see 

 into it to examine its contents and condition. 



Treatment. — Incurable, although much can be done 

 to relieve the pain, by the application of moisture 

 poultices, and occasionally placing the hoof in warm 

 water to soften and relieve pressure. Some have recom- 

 mended a blister round the coronet. I cannot see in 

 what scientific, or other grounds it will do good. In 

 well established cases, and in good strong feet the divi- 

 sion of the nerves which run down on each side of the 

 leg and into the foot, will relieve the pain and the horse 

 will go well for years. But unfortunately many cases 

 so operated upon have lost their hoofs by falling off 

 which has been unjustly laid or blamed to the operation. 

 The cause of this is not so much from the operation as 

 from the operator having no judgement in the kind of 

 hoof, the operation would be or not be successful. It 

 would be obviously improper to recommend the opera- 

 tion upon a flat footed horse, as the animal deprived of 

 pain would let his thin soled foot come down to the 

 ground with great force and weight, thus injuring the 

 whole structure to such an extent, that suppuration would 

 take place and ultimately the sloughing and falling off 

 of the hoof. 



9. Seedy Toe. — This is a name given to a split in the 

 centre of either fore or hind foot, extending a little way 

 up from the point, or it may be up to the hair itself. 



Causes. — The same as those producing sand-crack, 

 (which see). 



Treatment. — In bad cases a clasp or plate of iron 



