200 COMPENDIUM OF THE VETERINARY ART. 



and expanded, the frog will be considerably 

 widened, and not squeezed together as before, 

 and the oblong form will be changed to one 

 that is more circular; in short, when the frog 

 daring this time has been properly exposed to 

 pressure, and the quarters so rasped as to 

 be rendered sufficiently flexible, the hoof will 

 be found very similar in its form to that of a 

 colt. 



In cases where a contraction of the hoof has 

 ah'ead}- produced inflammation and lameness, 

 particularly if the lameness be not recent, it will 

 be advisable to blister the pasterns previous to 

 turnmg the horse out ; and when the inflamma- 

 tion is very considerable, a laxative ball, with a 

 cooling diet, will be serviceable. The cruel oper- 

 ation of drawing or tearing ofl"the sole has been 

 recommended as a remedy for contracted feet, 

 but very little reflexion wdll convince any one 

 of its ineflftcacy. Whenever it has been sup- 

 posed to do good, the benefit has probably 

 arisen from the long run at grass that becomes 

 necessary after it, and then the advantage 

 might have been equal, perhaps greater, had 

 tl:e operation been omitted. It has been ob- 

 serv^ed before, that in contracted hoofs there 

 is generally an increased concavity in the sole^ 



