210 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



the same manner a prick to the frog that, although deep, 

 is mainly concerned with penetrating the plantar cushion 

 may also be classed as simple. 



Deep or penetrating when driven with sufficient force or 

 in such a direction as to injure structures whose penetra- 

 tion is calculated to give rise either to serious constitutional 

 disturbance or to permanent lameness. In this category 

 Ave may place injuries to the terminal portion of the per- 

 forans, puncture of the navicular bursa, fracture of the 

 navicular bone and penetration of the pedal articulation, 

 and splintering of the os pedis. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. — While discussing the symp- 

 toms and diagnosis, we will still continue to consider our 

 subject under the two headings of (1) accidental 'gather- 

 ing' of some foreign body, and (2) pricks inflicted in the 

 forge. 



In a few cases belonging to the former class the veter- 

 inary surgeon is fortunate in obtaining a direct history of 

 the injury. The driver has seen the animal go suddenly 

 lame, and has examined the foot for the cause. Either the 

 nail has been found embedded in the horn, or the puncture 

 it has made detected, and the matter has been reported. 

 The foot is then explored and the full extent of the injury 

 ascertained. 



In many cases, however, it so happens that no evidence 

 of the infliction of the injury is forthcoming. The momen- 

 tary lameness occurring at the time of the prick is unre- 

 ported at the time by the attendant, and the horse for a time 

 goes sound. It is not until the changes set up by the sub- 

 sequent inflammatory phenomena make their appearance, 

 and lameness results, that attention is called to the foot. 

 When this happens there has, as a rule, been time for pus to 

 form around the seat of puncture — a matter of about forty- 

 eight hours. 



The horse is now brought out for the veterinary sur- 

 geon's examination, going distinctly lame. If the case is 

 well marked there may then be noted by the man of ex- 

 perience many little signs pointing to the foot as the 



