WOUNDS OF SOLE AND FKOO. 219 



quart of water. The horse can stand in this for from half an 

 hour to an hour. These baths, which are very highly spoken 

 of, may be continued for several days. In these cases, our 

 treatment should naturally be based on drainage and disinfection 

 carried out as completely as possible. If the inflamed sensitive 

 tissues bulge out into the excavated cavity, they should not be 

 cauterised; for they will regain their proper size when the in- 

 flammation subsides. For treatment of fracture of the pedal bone, 

 see page 305. 



For constitutional treatment, if the pain be great, give 1^ pint 

 of linseed oil, as a drench, and f oz. of nitre, daily, in the drinking 

 water. The animal should be kept on laxative food. If the pain 

 continues to be excessive, give J oz. of chloral hydrate in a pint 

 of water, as a drench. 



RESULTS. — In case of puncture which involves the pedal bone, 

 death from the consequent pain and inflammation may not im- 

 probably ensue, unless the part be well and promptly opened out. 

 If this be not done, even a slight prick of the sensitive tissues, 

 followed by suppuration, will be likely to give rise to quittor. 



Wounds of the Sole and Frog 



are occasioned by " gathered " nails, pieces of broken glass, stumps 

 of wood, sharp stones, etc. 



It often happens that when the offending substance has wounded 

 the foot by penetrating the cleft of the frog, an inexperienced 

 observer will imagine that the tendons or ligaments have been 

 sprained, on account of the effects of the inflammation extending 

 up the leg. This swelling requires no treatment; for it will 

 subside as the inflammation in the foot abates. 



The frog, owing to its greater softness, is more vulnerable than 

 the sole. The most dangerous part for a puncture proceeding 

 upwards from the ground surface of the foot, is the region of 

 the navicular bone, which lies directly above the centre of the 

 frog. The navicular bone makes a joint with the pedal bone 

 and short pastern bone (Fig. 70), and forms a pulley for the per- 

 forans te«don, between which and the navicular bone, a synovial 

 bursa is placed for lubricating purposes. Hence a puncture in 

 this part may wound the perforans tendon, the bursa, the navi- 

 cular bone, and the joint, and may extend even further up. 

 Wounds towards the point of the frog may cause fracture or 

 chipping of the pedal bone. Even without involvement of bone 

 or tendon, very severe inflammation may occur by puncture of the 

 deep-seated sensitive tissues of the frog (plantar cushion, Fig. 70) 



