THE FOOT. 367 



aggravated character ; it seems probable that at this stage 

 all virulence is lost. The treatment of " foul " in scro- 

 fulous animals is, of course, only palliative. 



Laminitis, " Founder,'' — Inflammation of the sensitive 

 structure of the foot is not frequent in cattle, but some- 

 times results, especially in very heavy and highly-fed 

 animals, from over-driving. It is also somewhat often 

 seen in working oxen. The simplicity of the foot of the 

 ox renders this a comparatively unimportant affection. 

 It may cause removal of the hoofs, but they will grow again. 

 The patient is better able to remain recumbent and to remove 

 the weight from an affected digit than is the horse. This 

 disease may be treated by a cathartic dose, rest, cold-water 

 applications, and, if necessary, sedatives. 



Loss of a Hoof may arise from other causes than foul 

 and laminitis, as when the foot becomes caught by the 

 landing stage during unshipping, and under certain other 

 emergencies of travel. If time be allowed a fairly perfect 

 new hoof will be produced, until when the animal cleverly 

 utilises the companion claw for purposes of progression. 



SoEE Feet result from excessive wear of the hoof from 

 travelling along hard roads. These must be dressed with 

 tar or put in a poultice, and the animals rested. On this 

 matter Youatt says : " There is not a farmer that has not 

 had cows in his dairy that have lost for a time full half 

 of their milk on account of the pain which tender and dis- 

 eased feet have occasioned ; the grazier sometimes loses 

 the advantage of three or four months^ feeding from the 

 same cause, and in London dairies tender feet are often a 

 most serious ailment, and compel the milkman to part 

 with some of his best cows, and that in a very indifferent 

 condition.'^ 



This liability to sore feet necessitates the shoeing of 

 working oxen, which consists in affixing thin plates of 

 iron to the soles of the hoofs by three nails to each. 

 These nails are small, and require considerable care in 

 driving, on account of the thinness of the hoofs. The 

 animal is liable to prove restless while being shod, and 

 thus pricks may occur. 



