1210 COMPENDIUM OF THE VETERINARY ART. 



ter, and sab due any inflammation that may 

 exist in the foot. 



Thrush. 



This disease consists in a discharge of 

 foetid matter from the cleft of the frog, which 

 part is generally rotten, and so soft as to be 

 incapable of affording sulRcient protection to 

 the sensible frog, which it covers : hence arises 

 that tenderness of the foot which is so often 

 observed. When this complaint attacks the 

 fore feet, it is seldom, if ever, an original dis- 

 ease, but merely a s^ymptom or an effect. The 

 cause is generally a contraction of the horny 

 matter at the quarters and heels, by which 

 the sensible frog is compressed and inflamed : 

 the discharge which takes place is a conse- 

 quence of this inflammation, and may be con- 

 sidered as an ineffectual cllort of nature to 

 cure it. The discharge, however, certainly di- 

 minishes the inflanmiatioii, and prevents it from 

 becoming): so considerable as it otherwise would ; 

 for it often happens when it has been stopped 

 by the injudicious application of astringents, 

 or when it ceases spontaneously, that the 



