148 DISEASES OF THE HOESE'S FOOT 



pavings, and is of only limited utility for slow work upon 

 soft lands. The more serious form, that following acute 

 laminitis, and complicated by the presence of pus, we may 

 regard as beyond hope of treatment. 



With the more simple form of the condition, we may do 

 much to render greater the animal's usefulness. The same 

 principles as were applied to the shoeing of flat feet will 

 have to be observed here. Trimming or paring of any 

 kind, save ' straightening up ' of the wall, must be severely 

 discountenanced. A broad-webbed shoe, one that will give 

 a certain amount of cover to the sole, is indicated. As in 

 the treatment of flat-foot, however, direct pressure upon 

 the sole must be avoided, and the shoe ' seated.' The 

 ' seating,' however, should not commence from the absolute 

 outer margin of the shoe's upper surface. A ^fiat bearing 

 should be given to the wall and the white line, and the 

 seating commenced at the sole. 



We have already remarked on the increased growth of 

 horn at the heels. It is in this position, then, that will be 

 found the greatest bearing surface for the shoe, and it is 

 wise, in this case, to have the heels of the shoe kept flat. 

 In other words, the ' seating ' is not to be continued to the 

 hindermost portion of the branches of the shoe. By this 

 means there may be obtained at each heel a good solid 

 bearing of from 2 to 3 inches, which would otherwise be lost. 



Where the accompanying condition of the horn is bad 

 enough to indicate it, a leather sole should be used, beneath 

 which has been packed a compress of tow and grease, 

 rendered more or less antiseptic by being mixed with tar. 



Where the sole is exceedingly thin, and inclined to be 

 easily wounded, and where the hoof, by its brittleness, has 

 become chipped and ragged at the lower margin of the 

 wall, it may perhaps be more advantageous to use, in place 

 of the compress of tow, the hutit'derliitt of Eotten. This 

 is a leather-like, dark brown paste. When warmed in hot 

 water, or by itself, it becomes soft and plastic, and may 

 readily be pressed to the lower surface of the foot, so as to 

 fill in all little cracks and irregularities, and furnish a 



