1 84 THK HORSn. 



the use of slings and a high-heeled shoe. Cold water douches should 

 be used once or twice a day, followed by cold water bandages, until the 

 fever has subsided and the soreness is largely removed, when a blister is 

 to be applied. 



In old wind-galls, which cause more or less stiffness, some relief may 

 be had by the use of cold compress bandages, elastic boots, or the red 

 iodide of mercury blisters. Enforced rest until complete recovery is 

 effected should always be insisted on, as a too early return to work is 

 sure to be followed by a relapse. 



Bruise of the Frog. When the frog is severely bruised the in- 

 jury is followed by suppuration beneath the horn, and at times by par- 

 tial gangrene of the plantar cushion. 



Causes. A bruise of the frog generally happens from the animal 

 stepping on a rough stone or other hard object. It is more apt to take 

 place when the animal is trotting, running, or jumping than when he is 

 at a slower pace. A stone wedged between the branches of the shoe 

 in the cleft of the frog, or between the sides of the frog and the shoe, 

 and remaining for a time, produces the same results. A cut through the 

 horny frog with some sharp instrument or a punctured wound with a 

 blunt pointed instrument may also cause suppuration and gangrene of 

 the plantar cushion. Broad, flat feet, with low heels and fleshy frog, 

 are most liable to these injuries. 



Symptoms. lyameness, severe in proportion to the extent of the 

 bruise and the consequent suppuration, is always an early symptom. 

 When the animal moves the toe only is placed to the ground, or the 

 foot is carried in the air and the patient hobbles along on three legs. 

 When he is at rest the foot is set forward with the toe resting on the 

 ground and the leg flexed at the fetlock joint. As soon as the pus finds 

 its way to the surface the lameness improves. If the frog is exam- 

 ined early the injured spot may usually be found, and if no open- 

 ing exists the collection of pus may be detected working its way 

 toward the heels. The horn is felt to be loosened from the deeper tis- 

 sues, and if it is pared through, a thin, yellow, watery and offensive pus 

 escapes. In other cases a ragged opening is found in the frog, leading 

 down to a mass of dead, sloughing tissues, which are pale green in color 

 if gangrene of the plantar cushion has set in. In rare cases the coffin 

 bone may be involved in the injury and a small portion of it may become 

 carious. 



