228 DISEASES OF THE HOESE'S FOOT 



devised by Colonel Nunn may be used in its stead (see 

 Fig. 108). 



The toe-piece is screwed into the toe of the shoe when 

 the horse is about to be exercised, and forms a powerful 

 point of leverage with which to stretch the contracted 

 tendon, and the shoe, being thin at the heels, admits of 

 this. The advantage of this form of toe-piece over the 

 ordinary form of fixed toe-lever is that it can be removed 

 when the horse is in the stable ; while the curved point 

 diminishes the danger of the horse hurting itself — a danger 

 always present if it is on a hind-foot. (See also Treatment 

 of Purulent Arthritis in Chapter XII.) 



Should a Sinuous Wound remain in tlie region of the Lateral 

 Cartilage, it should be explored, and its depth and likely 



Fig. 108. — Colonel Nunn's Shoe with Detachable Toe 

 Extension. 



number of branches ascertained. Should this exploration 

 denote that the cartilage itself is diseased, or that the 

 wound is not able to be sufficiently drained from the sole, 

 then we know that we have on our hands a case of quittor. 

 The treatment necessary in such a case will be found 

 described in Chapter X. 



Wlten the Complication of Purulent Arthritis has arisen, 

 the surgeon has to admit to himself, reluctantly no doubt, 

 that the case is often beyond hope of aid from him. 

 Nothing can be done save to order continuous antiseptic 

 baths and antiseptic irrigation of the wounds with a quittor 

 syringe, and to attend to the general health and condition 

 of the patient. At the best it is but a sorry look-out both 

 for the veterinary attendant and the owner of the animal. 

 Even with resolution incurable lameness results, and the 



