397 



A suppurative corn differs from the others in that the inflammation 

 accompanying the injury ends in suppuration. The pus collects at 

 the point of injury and finally escapes by working a passage way 

 between the sensitive and insensible laminae to the top of the hoof, 

 where an opening is made by separation of the wall from the coronary 

 band at or near the heels. This is the most serious form of corns, for 

 the reason that it may induce gangrene of the plantar cushion, carti- 

 laginous quittor, or caries of the coffin bone. 



Treafmenf. — Since a diversity of opinion exists as to what measures 

 must be adopted for the radical cure of corns, the author will advise 

 the use of those which have proven most efficient in his hands. 



As in all other troubles, the cause must be discovered, if possible, 

 and removed. In the great majority of cases the shoeing wiU be at 

 fault. AVhile sudden changes in the method of shoeing are not 

 advisable, it may be said that all errors, either in the i^reparation of 

 the foot, in the construction of the shoe, or in its application, may 

 very properly be corrected at any time. Circumstances may, at times, 

 make it imperative that shoes shall be worn which are not free from 

 objections, as, for instance, the shoe with a high calk; but in such 

 cases it is considered that the injuries liable to result from the use of 

 calks are less serious than those which are sure to happen for the 

 want of them. 



For a sound foot, perfectly formed, a flat shoe, with heels less thick 

 than the toe, and which rests evenly on the wall proper, is the best. 

 In flat feet it is often necessary to concave the shoe as much as possi- 

 ble on the upper surface, so that the sole may not be pressed upon 

 If the heels are very low the heels of the shoe may be made thicker. 

 If the foot is very broad and the wall light toward the heels, a bar 

 shoe, resting uj)on the frog, will aid to i^revent excessive tension upon 

 the soft tissues when the foot receives the weight of the body. A 

 piece of leather placed betAveen the foot and the shoe serves to largely 

 destroy concussion, and its use is absolutely necessary on some 

 animals in that they may be kept at work. 



Lastly, among the jireventive measures may be mentioned those 

 which serve to maintain the suppleness of the hoof. The dead horn 

 upon the surface of the sole not only retains moisture for a long time, 

 but protects the living horn beneath from the effects of evaporation, 

 and for this reason the sole should be pared as little as possible. 

 Stuffing the feet with flaxseed meal, wet clay, or other like sub- 

 stances; damp dirt floors or damp bedding of tan-bark, greasy hoof 

 ointments, etc., are all means which may be used to keej) the feet 

 from becoming too dry and hard. 



As to the curative measures which are to be adopted much will 

 depend upon the extent of the injury. If the case is one of chronic 

 dry corn, with but slight lameness, the foot should be poulticed for a 

 day or two and the discolored horn pared out, care being taken not to 



