178 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



if the injury is in the foot, the foot is raised up and put 

 forward easily and naturally, but is put down tenderly. 



Again, a case of muscular lameness, such as shoulder 

 lameness, straining of the back sinews, (suspensatory liga- 

 ments,) the lameness will get worse by use. That of the 

 foot, such as corns, coffin joint lameness, pricking with a 

 nail, etc., remain about the same; besides, if there is much 

 soreness in the foot, from contraction, corns, pricking, 

 strain of the coffin joint, the foot will be put forward or 

 rested upon the toe. This will always be the case if there 

 is much soreness of the heels, as resting upon the toe re- 

 lieves the pressure and pain. Hence it is a marked 

 symptom of coffin joint injury, of corns and thickening of 

 the lateral cartilages. 



Again, if there is much inflammation, increased heat can 

 be felt in the foot. 



FIRST, SHOULDER LAMENESS. 



Symptoms. The animal drags the leg, with the toe on 

 ground, and cannot raise the foot. 



Treatment. Local bleeding from the plate vein on the 

 inside of the leg is very effectual, with a purging ball. Fo- 

 menting the shoulder with hot water will be found useful. 

 If, in a few days, fomentations do not succeed, and the case 

 seems obstinate, rub on thoroughly soft soap and salt, which 

 will be found a fine stimulant, and is easily obtained. If 

 any eruption^ should arise from the application of this dress- 

 ing, apply a little sweet oil or lard, which will remove the 

 scab in a few days. 



PRICKING. 



If the horse becomes lame after being shod, examine the 

 foot carefully. If pricked by driving any of the nails too 

 near the quick, there will be heat and tenderness in the 

 hoof easily discovered. Tap the nails around carefully; 

 when the part injured is struck there will be prompt resist- 

 ance shown. Have the shoe taken off, and cut down to 

 where the nail strikes the quick, enough to make room for 

 any matter that may have formed to escape ; then poultice 

 with flax seed meal until the inflammation is reduced, when 

 a little tar, resin, or tallow, or something of this kind, 



