THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 417 



the shoe and foot, which, by the pressure of the heels during 

 action, is indented into the substance of the horn ; other 

 gravel is received in the same manner, which presses still 

 onward, until at last it harms the sensitive part of the sole. 

 Extravasation of pure blood ensues, and forms a corn; or it 

 may proceed to suppuration. 



Corns, when new, are deeply seated, and of a bright 

 crimson colour, requiring much digging with the drawing- 

 knife to be found. When old they are black and near to 

 the lower surface of the sole, which has then only to be 

 scraped clean to perceive them. A corn, however, should 

 be followed with the paring knife to its source in the 

 sensitive part ; for horses with old corns only go well when 

 fresh shod and newly pared, and as soon as the portion of 

 sole between the bars grows to a level with the surrounding 

 horn, the sensible sole receives a fresh bruise, and lameness 

 again appears. 



Treatment. — When a corn of moderate extent first 

 appears, it is not difficult by proper means to remove it 

 completely ; but when it has existed some time, the injured 

 part becomes weakened, and the diseased action established. 

 As soon, therefore, as it is discovered, the cure should be 

 immediately attempted; first, by removing the shoe, then 

 with a fine drawing-knife cutting away every portion of 

 horn around, avoiding, however, wounding the sensitive sole 

 underneath. If any contraction of the heels be present, the 

 sole should be thinned till it yields to pressure of the thumb, 

 and the blood appears like dew upon the surface. A uni- 

 lateral shoe should be then applied, chambered opposite the 

 weak part. Every third week remove the shoes, and pare 

 the horn away from the seat of corn. In this way corns 

 may be cured at their outset. But, having become habitual 

 and permanent, a palliative treatment only can be pursued. 

 In the first place, the pressure of the horn must be guarded 

 against by a regular and frequent paring out of the sole ; 

 and if the hoof be very strong, and at all disposed to con- 

 tract, the quarters also should be attended to, and not 

 allowed to become too thick. We have also in very strong 

 feet found the short shoe or tips sometimes of the greatest 

 possible service. To a weak foot a chambered shoe is 

 preferable. 



When the weakness is very considerable, or the corn a 

 very bad one, a bar shoe is the most proper support ; more 



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