CHAP. V.] SYMPTOMS AND CURE. 531 



wall of the hoof, in a foxy or dirty-red tumour, with 

 greatly increased heat. Lameness, in a degree 

 proportioned to the badness of the corn, is usually 

 the first symptom that directs our attention to the 

 sole. Figg is but another name for the same kind 

 of corn when situated close to the bar of the frog, 

 a little farther back in the hollow of the sole. Pain, 

 very acute on the touch ; or, when the horse treads 

 on a hard substance, he issues a moan, or grunt : 

 it is that sound in which his voice is aptly likened 

 to the complaint of the human sufferer. 



Cure, — Although oftentimes very troublesome, 

 returning again and again when the farrier appre- 

 hends he has cured it radically, yet no affection is 

 easier of a partial remedy, or effected by more or- 

 dinary means. Deceived by the name, perhaps, 

 resembling the hard excrescence called a corn, on 

 the human foot, they proceed at once to " pare the 

 corn out to the quick, till the blood starts ,•" but 

 they heedlessly put on the same shoe upon the 

 same thick heel and hard hoof which first brought 

 about the malady, and the lameness returns. Let 

 the heel of the shoe be cut off on the side that is 

 afflicted, or if both sides have corns, a bar shoe is 

 recommended as giving pressure to the frog. The 

 heels are then to be rasped away free from any 

 contact with the shoe ; if they are thick and hard, 

 this will give them play — if thin and tender, they 

 will thus be free from pressure. The thick heel is 

 most commonly affected, and should be softened by 

 an extensive poultice that is to cover the whole foot, 



A 3i2 



