202 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



nitis , although it might have given rise to perverted secretion by 

 the sensitive laminas, so that separation occurred between these 

 structures and the wall, on account of their connecting material 

 having lost its adhesive character. I have thought, in two or three 

 well-marked oases which I have observed, that the disease was due 

 to the habit the animal had acquired of never lying down. Per- 

 civall was of opinion that the pressure of the clip of the shoe was 

 the chief cause of this ailment. 



The existence of seedy-toe is readily seen on removing the shoes. 

 Sometimes, the wall at the centre of the toe cracks, making a ver- 

 tical fissure ; and there is frequently a depression a little below the 

 centre of the front part of the hoof, when viewed in profile. If the 

 part of the wall which covers the cavity be tapped, it will emit a 

 hollow sound. 



TREATMENT. — Carefully remove with the searcher every par- 

 ticle of detached horn, until all appearance of a crack in the horn 

 is gone. Apply a bar shoe. Rub into the coronet, every second 

 day or so, a little weak cantharides ointment (1 to 24 of lard), in 

 order to stimulate the part to secrete sound and strong horn. Apply 

 on the newly-exposed surface, a light dressing of turpentine or 

 paraffin oil, to prevent the invasion of parasites, and, then, keep it 

 covered over with some of the following ointment to protect it 

 from moisture: — 



Lard or suet ... • ... ... ... 1 part. 



Venice turpentine ... .. ... 1 ,, 



Beeswax ... ... ... ... ... in 



As the wall grows down, look out for the appearance of any 

 fissure in the horn, which, on being seen, should be carefully pared 

 out. Keep the feet dry. A cure is almost certain, unless the 

 cause is laminitis, in which case it will be more or less doubtful. 



If a horse is lame from chronic laminitis and has at the same 

 time seedy-toe, it is useless to treat the latter complaint only, with 

 the view of making him sound. 



Seedy-toe is an unsoundness. 



Pumiced Feet 



is a term that is applied to a flat or convex condition of the sole, 

 which is generally due to the descent of the pedal bone, as a result 

 of laminitis (p. 184), and sometimes to the effects of work on hard 

 ground, especially when seated shoes (p. 176) are used, without any 

 symptoms of laminitis having been apparent. 



