THE FOOT.. 



537 



pressure that produces a soreness, and sometimes very serious in- 

 flammation. 



Symptoms. — Lameness may appear in a day or two, sometimes 

 not for a week. The foot is found to be hot and tender, and the 

 least tap with the hammer causes pain ; in moving, the animal sets 

 the foot down so as to throw the pressure off the tender part, and 

 when standing he will rest the foot. Sometimes the leg swells con- 

 siderably ; the swelling is sometimes painful, and is very apt to mis- 

 lead the inexperienced. 



Treatment.,— Remove 

 the shoe, and having with 

 the hammer or pincers 

 discovered the faulty nail, 

 thin the sole around it, 

 and with a fine drawing- 

 knife follow the course of 

 the nail till the matter is 

 evacuated ; make' a free 

 vent for it, .and immerse 

 the foot in a warm poultice 

 for a day or two. When 

 the symptoms subside, the 

 shoe may be applied, and the sole filled with tow and tar, or Friar's bal- 

 sam, tincture of myrrh, etc., retained by cross slips or a leather sole, 

 care being taken not to bruise the sole. The crust at the injured 

 part should not rest on the shoe. (For further details, see page 349 

 in " Shoeing.") 



If the nails are driven so deep as to bind, which, as before 

 stated, is a very common occurrence, particularly in feet with thin 

 hoofs, the first ^.thing to do is to remove the nails ; if much inflam- 

 mation, poultice until relieved ; then let ,the shoe extend farther out 

 under the crust, and drive smaller nails, using care not to drive deep. 



If a nail has been driven into the foot, get the. horse to the sta- 

 ble as quick as you can, and take off the shoe. If. not done before, 

 remove the nail, glass; or whatever it is, from the foot carefully. 

 See that no part remains, and remove a little of the hoof from 

 around the opening. Drop a few drops of Friar's balsam or com- 

 pound tincture of benzoin into the orifice, both of which can be ob- 

 tained in almost any drug store. If this is not obtainable, use the 

 simple digestive ointment (given;under head of" Cuts"), and cover the 

 foot with a large flaxseed' poultice. If the injury is at all severe, 

 give a sharp dose of physic, and let the animal stand quiet. The 



Fig. 848.— The Horse as he Usually Rests the Foot 

 when Lame. 



