METHOD OF EXAMINING THE FOOT 73 



the condition of their broken ends all being carefully noted 

 as they are withdrawn. 



The removed shoe should next be examined as to the 

 coarseness or fineness of its punching and the ' pitch ' of 

 its nail-holes, and close attention given to the shape of its 

 bearing surface. 



From that we may pass to a consideration of the under- 

 neath surface of the foot. The drawing-knife should be 

 run lightly over the whole of its surface, the first thing to 

 be noticed being the point of entrance of the nails as 

 compared with the coarseness or fineness of the punching, 

 and the staining or otherwise of the horn immediately 

 around. We may thus be guided towards mischief arising 

 from tight nailing apart from actual prick of the foot. 



This done, more than usual care should be taken in 

 following up any other small prick or dark spot that may 

 show itself upon the white surface of the cleaned sole. In 

 any case, a suspicious-looking speck should be followed up 

 with the searcher until it is either cut out or is traced to 

 the sensitive structures. 



While this is done, we should also have noticed the 

 condition of the horn at the seat of corn ; should have 

 noticed the shape of the heels, contracted or otherwise ; 

 and the appearance of the frog, clean or discharging. 



A point to be remembered in making this exploratory 

 paring of the foot is the peculiar consistency of the horn 

 of the frog, and its tendency to hide the existence of 

 punctures. In like manner, as a pin pierces a piece of 

 indiarubber, and leaves no clearly visible trace of the hole 

 it has made, so does a nail or other sharp object penetrate 

 the frog, leaving but httle to show for the mischief that 

 has been done. 



After all, even though we may have fully decided the 

 foot is at fault, our case of lameness may remain obscure 

 so far as a cause is concerned. Nothing remains, then, 

 but to acknowledge the inability to discover it, to advocate 

 poulticing, or some other expectant palliative measure, and to 

 bring the case up for further examination at no distant date. 



