NAVICULAR-JOINT LAMENESS. 



433 



This is a strain that does more mischief than any other, and entirely from the 

 circumstance of its producing scarcely any lameness in the walk. A horse, there- 

 fore, when strained in the coffin joint, and having no lameness, or scarcely any, in 

 the walk, is usually put to work, or what is nearly as bad, is turned to grass without 

 any regard to the situation, where he is often liable to be driven about. If, instead of 

 this, it were treated like other strains, whose symptoms are more apparent, and which 

 produce a greater degree of lameness, it would soon get well, and with greater cer- 

 tainty than a strain in the back sinews. But as it is a strain in the coffin joint, it is 

 the most intractable kind of lameness we meet with, because it is nearly always 

 neglected at its first occasion. 



Symptoms, — It sometimes occurs in an instant, as by a horse 



stepping on a round stone, running 

 in the field, etc., when he may at 

 once be quite lame ; at other 

 times its progress, is slow. Some 

 peculiar formations of the foot are 

 more subject to it than others. 

 When the result of sudden strain, 

 there will be considerable heat in 

 the back part of the foot, with 

 well-marked lameness. When it 

 comes on gradually, a slight ten- 

 derness is observed, particularly at 

 starting, which goes off with ex- 

 ercise. This gradually increases ; 

 the foot is found hot, and as a re- 

 sult of increased, heat, contraction 

 may set in, the hoof becoming dry 

 and brittle. He steps on his toe, 

 and when standing,' points his foot, 

 that is, places his foot in front, rest- 

 ing on the toe ; and if both feet are involved, which is not uncom- 

 mon, alternating the feet. Contraction is not an invariable symp- 

 tom, as feet are subject to it that are entirely free from contraction. 

 Often the foot is found to be round and apparently healthy, the 

 most careful examination by the owner or smith not enabling (hem 

 to locate any cause for the trouble. In ordinary cases the horse will 

 show no apparent lameness while on a walk ; but on a trot may 

 flinch considerably, showing a great tendency to stumble.* Driving 



* In some cases, usually fast trotters, the horse may at first only point, and gradually show a 

 little torehesa or stiffness at starting, or what is termed bobbing — dropping the head. Irrita- 

 tion Ita these owes Is induced very slowly, as hereafter explained. The principle of treatment 

 if the iatae,— prompt, removal of the cause of irritation, developing healthy circulation in the 

 ^artf, wad tiding mobility. 



^ 8& a 



Fig. 747. — Usual Appearance of Fool 

 with Chronic Coffin-joint Lameness. 



