THE FOOT. 365 



It most frequently affects tlie hind feet, and is most 

 prevalent on low marshy lands, such as promote over- 

 growth and excessive malformation of the hoof. It is in 

 many respects similar to the non-contagious form of foot- 

 rot of sheep, and somewhat resembles quittor of the horse. 

 The extreme cases of non-specific foot-rot and foul which we 

 see occasionally are due to neglect, whereby inflammation 

 extends to the joints of the foot and leads to acute arthritic 

 disorder. Thus, the pathological conditions of this disease 

 are, at first, the existence of inflammation in the interdigital 

 substance, which may be partially removed by sloughmg, 

 then the presence of pus beneath the hoof-horn, boring 

 and forming simple sinuses ; also later, arthritis and ostitis, 

 leading to increased suppuration and the formation of 

 sinuses, which extend outwards and burst on the surface. 

 The patient is very lame, and the digits are separated 

 from one another in a remarkable manner. Considerable 

 sympathetic fever is generally present in such advanced 

 cases, and the animal materially loses condition, suc- 

 cumbing to the pain of the disorder in a very rapid 

 manner. This entails considerable loss upon the owner, 

 and necessitates energetic treatment, which must consist 

 of removal of the patient to a thoroughly clean quiet 

 place, careful washing of the foot, removal of any ragged 

 horn and overgrowth, also of any part of the hoof which 

 is underrun by the pus, poulticing for removal of the 

 pain and to arouse a healthy process, also a cathartic dose. 

 Subsequently, carbolic dressings, or mild astringents may 

 be applied, but such powerful caustic agents as were 

 once used are not required. Neither is the prolonged 

 interdigital friction, which was considered beneficial, and 

 was usually applied by means of a tar rope. The diseased 

 foot will require to be dressed and to be protected by 

 means of a bandage. The mode of elevation of the foot 

 usually adopted has been already mentioned (see page 71). 

 Bleeding from the coronet, whereby much blood may 

 be removed, is recommended by Youatt and others, but its 

 effects are not likely to produce much benefit in this sub- 

 acute disorder, and it is preferable not to bleed too near 



