CORNS. 161 



from the coronet and quarter after the feet are once sensibly 

 contracted, and no care in fitting a shoe to make the bearing 

 of the heels level, or bring pressure upon the frog by the use 

 of a bar-shoe, will in a practical sense give relief. Mr. Bon- 

 ner would, I think, smile at such treatment. I am aware a 

 great deal of mischief has been done by parties, who, without 

 any scientific knowledge, cut or saw recklessly into the heel 

 between the bar and frog, and spread the quarters violently, 

 thereby causing violent inflammation, an injury that would 

 cause the animal great tortures and endanger tetanus. Where 

 there is no regard for the use of the horse, the horn may be 

 cut away to almost any extreme ; and by allowing pressure 

 of the frog and sole upon the soft ground the heels must 

 grow wide with the new accumulation of horn, and a cure will 

 be almost certain. But if we can do all this easily and safely, 

 and preserve the hoof as well as retain the use of the horn, 

 as we now can do, it is much better and safer treatment ; 

 but what is surprising to the writer is, that so high an author- 

 ity as the gentleman referred to would not say something 

 about the principles of giving direct relief to the pressure 

 upon the internal structure of the foot now shown so neces- 

 sary and valuable to prevent and cure contraction by me- 

 chanically removing the cause, as shown by the success of 

 Mr. Bonner especially, whose success and skill in this field 

 of study are beyond question. I really desire to benefit the 

 farmers and horse-owners who honor me with their attention j 

 and I will be glad to make these difficulties plainer to them 

 by such explanations as I am able to give, personally, with 

 aid of apparatus. 



CORNS 



Appear at the angle of the inner heel : they are usually 

 caused by the shoe being worn so long that it is drawn for- 

 ward under the quarter, and presses upon the soft horn of 

 the heel. This undue pressure bruises and breaks the blood- 

 vessels, leaving a red spot. This bruise is the same as any 

 other simple bruise of the sole. More or less inflammation 

 may result, and, if allowed to go on, may cause suppuration. 

 The first and most important step towards a cure is to 

 remove pressure from the part. The shoe must not be 

 allowed to press upon it. If we raise the shoe from the 



