LAMENESS. 251 



discovered, it is necessary to decide whether the 

 lameness is above or below the knee or hock. 

 This is not always an easy matter, unless there is 

 anything very apparent to warrant a conclusion. If 

 in the shoulder, it is generally accompanied by a 

 dragging of the toe. If in the hock, the way the 

 hock of the lame leg is flexed will generally indicate 

 it. If the horse is lame from splint, he generally 

 bobs his head as the lame foot touches the ground, 

 and the splint can be felt. If in the fetlock joint, 

 it will probably be swollen. If in the foot, there 

 is (except in one instance — navicular disease) sure 

 to be heat in the seat of lameness. 



There are cases where a really experienced 

 veterinary surgeon is very often puzzled to diagnose 

 the exact ailment at once. But whenever the lame- 

 ness is supposed to be in the foot, it is a good and 

 safe plan to have the shoe at once removed care- 

 fully and gently, and if possible let the master stand 

 by while the removal is being effected, in order to 

 prevent the farrier knocking the foot about un- 

 necessarily. In such a case the veterinary surgeon 

 ought to be consulted, and the shoe having been 

 already removed will save time. When sending for 

 a veterinary surgeon it is always better to write, 

 and to state in the letter, as nearly as possible, 

 the circumstances of the case, instructing him, 



