412 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



recent, the horse is found simply lame. The foot is 

 examined, but it is generally quite cool. There is no 

 apparent reason to be assigned for the lameness ; indeed, it 

 often goes off, and the circumstance is forgotten. After a 

 period of three to six months, during which unseen mischief 

 has been going on, the lameness reappears. It is relieved, 

 comes back again, and the horse is lame for life. As one 

 foot is painful, greater stress is thrown upon the sound 

 member, which is often injured in consequence; and hence 

 both feet are found, in so many instances, with disease of 

 the navicular-joint. 



We may observe that a sure sequel — we might rather say 

 a symptom — of navicular disease is contraction. The foot 

 is thrown out of use, or " saved by the animal " — indeed, he 

 will be found " pointing " it in the stable ; hence the 

 quarters draw inwards, the heels narrow, the frog hardens 

 and diminishes in size and plumpness, the sole thickens, the 

 hoof itself grows higher, and is marked by ridges. In 

 short, "contraction" marks navicular disease. 



Navicular disease is of an ulcerative tendency, and most 

 seriously affects the adult and the aged animal. Mayhew 

 remarks, which is confirmatory of the view we have already 

 taken : *' The foot in the first instance exhibits no heat, and 

 in the after stages becomes no more than warm. Moreover, 

 the consequences of this disease are absorption, which it 

 takes years to effect — not deposition, which is accomplished 

 in a few days. All internal structures of the foot lessen, 

 till the hoof becomes visibly small and contracted ; for it is 

 a law in nature that, in the living creature, the contents 

 should govern the covering. Thus, the brain controls the 

 skull ; the lungs regulate the chest, etc., etc.'' With these 

 views the treatment of Mr. Mayhew corresponds, and has 

 our fullest assent. 



Feed liberally on crushed oats and old beans. Soak the 

 foot in hot water for one hour every night for fourteen 

 days ; put tips on the hoofs, which part smear over with 

 animal glycerine. Put the feet in a sponge-boot, and wrap 

 the shank in flannel. Remember Professor Coleman's 

 " remedy " — a frog-pressure shoe — is the provocative of the 

 disease, if not often the cause of its incurable aggravation. 

 A leather sole, applied when the horse is shod, is of the 

 utmost importance to his more permanent utility. Never 

 use clay as a stopping, as the cold is apt to yet further 



