THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 387 



established. Should the attention be called to a case that 

 has proceeded to a fistulous state, treat exactly in the same 

 manner as with poll-evil. 



CHAPTER XXV 



THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 



LAMENESSES-DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE 

 FORE LEGS AND FEET. 



THE SHOULDER — THE ARM AND ELBOW — THE KNEE — THE 

 LEG — THE PASTERNS — THE FETLOCKS — THE FEET. 



The causes of lameness in the horse are so various, and 

 often so obscure, that we may almost say that a hasty and 

 confident opinion on the nature and origin of lameness is a 

 sign that the man consulted has little judgment or know- 

 ledge of the difficulty of the question before him. Rashness, 

 self-conceit, and a desire to obtain an undue reputation for 

 acumen, may be almost invariably assumed as regards these 

 positive gentlemen, who deliver oracular opinions on matters 

 which demand sound knowledge, careful investigation, 

 and deliberate reflection even from the most experienced. 

 Above all things we would warn the horse-owner against 

 people who have " secrets " for curing lamenesses. They 

 are generally ignorant and dishonest barbarians, with 

 neither humanity nor principle, and we always look with 

 extreme suspicion on those who recommend their advice or 

 services to be called for. Shoeing as a cause of lameness 

 is now hardly known, however convenient a stalking-horse 

 the farrier's shortcomings may be to a drunken or careless 

 groom. Where the smith is really in fault, the mischief is 

 obvious enough; where the causes lie deeper, the skilful 

 veterinarian or the well-read anatomist alone can trace 

 them. 



In the present chapter we propose to arrange the several 

 disorders and injuries as follows : The Shoulder — The 

 Arm and Elbow — The Knee — The Leg — The Pasterns — 

 The Fetlocks— The Feet. 



