204 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



accept; an unskilled opinion, sometimes resulting in danger 

 to the proprietor of the forge, not only of losing a shoeing 

 contract, but also of being involved in other ways which 

 would probably prove even more disastrous.' 



' Horses that stand on sawdust or moss litter are some- 

 times found with extensive discoloration of the horny sole 

 in front of the frog. Their bedding material collects in the 

 shoe as snow does, and forms a mass, which keeps a con- 

 tinued and uneven pressure upon the sole. A sound foot is 

 not injuriously affected, but a very thin sole is, and so also 

 is a sole which has been bruised by a picked up stone. 

 Even a slight bruise becomes serious if pressure is allowed 

 to remain active over the injured part. Lameness increases, 

 serous fluid is effused between the horn and sensitive part, 

 or even haemorrhage may take place.' * 



The Treatment of Chronic Bruised Sole offers no special 

 difficulty. Removal of the cause (in nearly every case 

 incorrect bearing of the shoe) is the first consideration. 

 That done, the lesion may be searched for and treated in 

 the ordinary manner as described for corn. When pus is 

 present it must, of course, be given exit, and an antiseptic 

 solution applied to the wound. Should the sensitive 

 structures be laid bare when allowing the pus to escape, 

 then the wound so made should afterwards be protected 

 with a leather sole and antiseptic stopping. 



* Hunting, Veterinary Record, vol. xiv., p. 593. 



