WOUNDS 211 



seat of the lameness. These, though well enough known 

 to the practitioner, are nevertheless difficult to describe. 

 It is, in fact, hard to say exactly in what they really 

 consist, appearing to be as much a matter of intuition as of 

 actual observation. 



There is a peculiar ' feeling ' characteristic in the gait. 

 The affected foot is put forward fearlessly enough, but is 

 not nearly so rapidly put to the ground. When at rest the 

 foot is almost immediately pointed, and the pain at inter- 

 vals manifested by pawing movements. It is this extreme 

 liberty of the rest of the limb, as evinced during the paw- 

 ing movements, that really strikes one. Shoulder, elbow, 

 knee, and fetlock are all easily and painlessly flexed and 

 extended. There is nothing wrong with them ; it must be 

 the foot. The short manipulation necessary to test the 

 lameness — viz., the walk and slow trot — is sufficient to 

 raise the animal's pulse and quicken the breathing. 



All this is enough, and more than enough, to lead the 

 veterinary surgeon to examine the foot. It is hot to the 

 touch, and at the coronet tender to pressure, possibly in a 

 neglected case fluctuating at the heel. Pain is evinced by 

 the animal withdrawing his foot when percussion takes 

 place over the affected spot. In a bad case one gentle tap 

 is all that is needed. The animal at once snatches away 

 his foot, holds it high from the ground, and makes pawing 

 movements in the air. At that moment, too, his coun- 

 tenance is highly expressive of the pain he is suffering. 

 Again the foot is explored, the injury found, and the pus 

 liberated. 



Regarding the manner of exploration of the foot we will 

 take first that case in which the veterinary surgeon is 

 called in early, and in which pus has not yet had time to 

 form. Sometimes the merest cleaning up of the inferior 

 surface of the foot then reveals a distinct stab either in the 

 sole or the frog. 



If the accident be recent only a little blood will be found, 

 either liquid, or coagulated about the wound. Later there 

 exudes from the stab a flow of yellow, serous fluid. The 



14—2 



