438 DISEASES OF THE HOESE'S FOOT 



Even this is such as to at first occasion no alarm, being 

 intermittent and shght, and only very gradually becoming 

 marked. In a few cases, however, lameness will come on 

 suddenly, and is excessive from the commencement. It is 

 the lameness, slow in its onset, intermittent in its character, 

 and gradual in its progress, however, that is ordinarily 

 characteristic of navicular disease. 



The animal is taken out from the stable sound, with just 

 a vague suspicion, perhaps, that he moved a bit stiffly. 

 While out he is thought by his driver or rider to be going 

 feelingly with one foot or with both. Even this is not 

 marked, and the driver has some difficulty in assuring 

 himself whether or no he really observed it, or whether it 

 was but imagination. 



On the return home the limb is examined, and nothing 

 abnormal is to be found. The leg is of its normal appearance, 

 and neither heat nor tenderness is to be observed in it or in 

 the foot. On the following day the animal again is sound, 

 and the lameness of the previous day is put down to a slight 

 strain or something equally simple. The patient is then, 

 perhaps, rested for a day or two. When next he is worked 

 he again moves out from the stable sound, but again during 

 the going gives the driver the unpleasant impression that 

 something is amiss ; and so the case goes on. One day 

 the owner fears the animal is becoming seriously enough 

 affected to warrant him in calling in his veterinary surgeon ; 

 the next he is confidently assuring himself that nothing is 

 wrong. 



Perhaps the animal is now rested for a week or two, or 

 even for a month or two, hoping that this will put him 

 sound. Immediately on commencing work, however, the 

 same symptoms as before assert themselves, and the 

 veterinary surgeon is called in. 



With a history such as we have given the veterinarian's 

 suspicions are aroused. He has the animal trotted, and 

 may notice at this stage that there is an inclination to go 

 on the toes, that the lame limb or limbs are not put forward 

 freely, and that progression is stilty and uncertain ; it is 



