220 DISEASES OF THE HORSES FOOT 



of septic matters within it may be more elaborate. The 

 thinning of the horn and the swabbing of the wound may, 

 as before, be proceeded with. In addition, the whole foot 

 may then be immersed for some hours daily in a cold bath, 

 which bath should be strongly impregnated with one or 

 other of the following salts : Iron Sulphate, Zinc Sulphate, 

 Copper Sulphate, Aluminium Sulphate, Lead Acetate, or 

 Sodium Chloride — better still, a mixture of the various 

 sulphates here mentioned. If preferred, one of the more 

 commonly accepted antiseptics — such as Carbolic Acid, 

 Lysol, Boracic Acid, or Perchloride of Mercury — may be 

 substituted. 



By the cold of the bath inflammatory phenomena are 

 held in check, while its added antiseptic prevents the 

 formation of septic discharges. The lameness gradually 

 diminishes, and resolution is rapid. In this way deep and 

 serious wounds are sometimes easily and successfully 

 treated. 



When suppuration has occurred — and this, by-the-by, is 

 by far the most frequent condition in which we find punc- 

 tured foot — treatment must be prompt and decided. Care- 

 ful search must at once be made by thinning down the 

 sole, and carefully trimming the frog. On no account 

 should the veterinary attendant rest content with ' digging ' 

 in one place, and upon that basing a negative opinion as to 

 the existence of pus. The paring should be carried on, 

 until either pus or haemorrhage shows itself, in at least three 

 positions — namely, at the most anterior portion of the sole, 

 and in the sole at each side of the frog. In addition to 

 this, the frog itself should be minutely examined for evi- 

 dence or puncture, or for leaking of pus at the spot where 

 the horn of the heels joins the skin. 



In many of our cases, however, this careful search is not 

 so necessary. The accompanying symptoms are so decided 

 as to leave no doubt as to the condition of the case. In 

 such instances paring may often be commenced over the 

 exact position of suppuration as previously ascertained by 

 percussion. 



