RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 41 



affected will stand immovable in a stall with his forefeet away 

 in front of him, his weight being thrown on the heels. If the hind- 

 feet are affected, they and the forefeet are placed well under the 

 body; the animal if made to move rocks on its limbs and will 

 jump with both forefeet together. The pulse is hurried; the throbbing 

 of the arteries below the fetlocks can be felt. If an attempt to lift 

 the foot is made, the animal resists ; the feet arc hot and tender, 

 especially if tapped with a hammer; the breathing is hurried, giving 

 rise to the suspicion that the lungs are affected; the pulse is full 

 and hard, and the membrane of the eye reddened (congested). 

 Sweating will be seen as a result of the extreme pain and thirst 

 will be great ; the thermometer will show an increased body 

 temperature. 



TREATMENT 



The treatment needs to be energetic, for unless it is so, de- 

 structive changes will take place, resulting in dropping of the sole, 

 due to the pedal bone turning point downwards, (pumic foot) and 

 possibly shedding of the entire hoof. Irregular rings around the 

 foot, close together, are evidences of an attack at some time, as is 

 also the tendency of a horse to travel on its heels when trotted. Tub 

 the feet in warm water or apply hot poultices for a few times. Then 

 apply Elk's Dessicant over the coronet just above the hoof, once a 

 day for three days. Purgatives such as aloes should not be given; 

 ;i quart of linseed oil will be useful and safe to use. In these cases, 

 give a tablespoonful of saltpetre (nitrate of potash) twice daily in 

 the drinking water until the fever subsides. Bran mashes or other 

 light food are to be preferred. Some veterinarians remove the shoes, 

 which is not always easy unless the animal is made to lie down 

 (this should be done if it persists in standing). Do not pare through 

 the sole, but as soon as the worst symptoms are over (in three or 

 four days), give moderate exercise, a run at pasture, a moist one 

 preferable. After this, blistering the coronets is a great help to 

 restore the foundered animal to usefulness. This disease in sheep or 

 cattle will be more common during the summer, if high feeding, 

 without taking into consideration the temperature, or putting on 

 full feed too suddenly is persisted in. More is to be gained by pre- 

 vention than by cure. If such animals are affected, doses of glauber 

 salts are to be given occasionally, the doses being the same as of 

 epsom salts. 



LYMPHANGITIS, big leg, weed, or water-farcy (not a good 

 term, apt to be mistaken for farcy), is another serious trouble due 



