THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 405 



thrust through the diseased froo^, seems to be attended with 

 benefit. 



The practitioner will carefully look out for the worst 

 symptoms, as well as those of amendment. When separa- 

 tion begins to take place at the coronet between the hoof 

 and the hair, it indicates that the process of suppuration 

 is established by exudation ; and, that process once 

 thoroughly set up, it will go on in defiance of all that can 

 be done to stay it. It will be useless further to punish the 

 horse ; but some relief may be obained by surrounding the 

 feet with poultices. Another hoof will in process of time 

 be produced ; but it will be smaller and weaker than the 

 first, and liable to inflammation. 



It is seldom that intense inflammation of any kind ter- 

 minates without eff'ecting some change of structure. Dis- 

 union to a very considerable extent between the horny and 

 fleshy laminse is a frequent consequence ; and the result of 

 that is, that the cofiin-bone is no longer retained ;in its 

 place, but sinks backwards and downwards. A malforma- 

 tion which no surgery can remove is the result. The sharp 

 edge of the coffin-bone rests upon the sole, and often pierces 

 through it. This is an incurable state of the foot. The 

 attempt at forcing up again the coffin-bone betrays ignor- 

 ance of anatomy, and of the progress of disease. When the 

 coffin-bone begins to recede from the crust, the hoof follows 

 it to a certain degree; but its structure limits this, and 

 another process commences in order to fill up the vacuum. 

 An unnatural quantity of plastic matter is secreted by the 

 sensitive laminse ; the crust thickens and inclines inward 

 as the coffin-bone retires; it has sometimes been observed 

 more than two inches in thickness. Nature is, as it 

 were, attempting still to maintain the union between the 

 parts. 



What power applied to the sole can force back the coffin- 

 bone, pressed upon and kept down by this thickness of 

 horn ? or what power can be applied to the external sole 

 without bruising the internal and sensitive one ? Lameness, 

 which no art can relieve, ensues ; it is lasting and incurable. 

 The horse should be destroj^ed ; but many animals in this 

 state are forced to do slow work, and, by the whip, 

 compelled to move in agony. 



