278 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



catching, was now so slow and deeply regular that for one 

 brief moment the thought flashed across our mind that he 

 was dead. He was in a profound sleep. 



Other operators sometimes give the exudate escape while 

 making the grooves in what is now known as ' Smith's 

 Operation.' 



In this operation the hoof is so grooved as to allow of 

 its expansion, so relieving the pressure on the sensitive 

 structures within it. Incidentally, the inflammatory exudate 

 is given exit. 



Fig. 120. — Diagram of Hoof showing the position of the 

 Three Grooves made in the Treatment of Laminitis. 



The animal is cast, the shoes removed, and three vertical 

 grooves made in the wall. The first is cut down the centre 

 of toe, extending from the coronet to the ground surface. 

 The second is made to the right of this, and the third to the 

 left, each following 2 inches from the first (see 1, 2, and 3, 

 Fig. 120). 



Each of the grooves must run completely from the 

 coronary margin to the ground surface, and each should be 

 carried through the substance of the horn until the horny 

 laminae are reached. This done, the underneath surface of 

 the foot is grooved at the white line (see curved groove 4, 



