72 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



If ' pointing ' is a symptom, its manner is noticed. The 

 foot is compared with the other for any deviation from the 

 normal. In some cases the two fore or the two hind feet 

 may differ in size. Though this may not necessarily 

 indicate disease, it may, nevertheless, be taken into account 

 if the lameness is not easily referable to any other member. 

 Measurement with calipers will then be of help, and a 

 pronounced increase in size, especially if marked in one 

 position only, given due consideration. The hand is used 

 upon each foot alternately to look for change of tempera- 

 ture, to detect the presence of growths small enough to 

 escape the eye, and to discover evidence of painful spots 

 along the coronet. 



At this stage the method of percussion recommends 

 itself, and in many cases no more useful diagnostic agent 

 is to be found than the ordinary hammer. As a pre- 

 liminary, the foot of the sound limb should be always 

 tapped first. This precaution will serve to bring to light 

 what is frequently met with — the aversion nervous animals 

 sometimes exhibit to this manner of manipulation of the 

 hoof. Unless this is done, the ordinary objection to inter- 

 ference is apt to be read as evidence of pain. No aversion to 

 the method being shown, the suspected foot is gently tapped 

 in various places round the wall, a keen look-out being kept 

 for any manifestation of tenderness. This may vary from a 

 slight resentment to each tap, indicated by a sudden lifting 

 and setting down again of the foot, to a complete removal 

 of the foot from the ground, and a characteristic pawing of 

 the air that points out clearly enough the seat of pain. 



Evidence of pain once given, the tapping is persisted in 

 until, in some cases, the exact position of the tender spot 

 is definitely located. 



Failing evidence obtained from percussion, attention 

 should next be given to the shoeing. We may add here 

 that, even when difficulties have to be encountered in 

 doing it, it is always a wise plan to have the shoe removed. 



The nails should be removed one by one, the course 

 they have taken, their point of emergence on the wall, and 



