KNSE, FETLOCK, ANKLE, AND FOOT. 213 



allows of greater exudation, which may more than counterbalance the 

 good effects. Secondly, it makes the feet tender and subject to bruises 

 when the animal again goes to work. The shoes should be replaced when 

 convalescence sets in and the animal is ready to take exercise. Exer- 

 cise should never be enforced until the inflammation has subsided, for 

 although it temporarily relieves the pain and soreness, it serves to main- 

 tain continued irritation, increases the exudation, and prolongs the 

 recovery. 



If, at the end of the fifth or sixth day, prominent symptoms of recov- 

 ery are not apparent, apply a stiff blister of cantharides around the cor- 

 onet and omit the niter for about forty-eight hours. As soon as the 

 blister has drawn well the feet may again receive wet swabs. If one 

 blister does not suffice to remove the soreness, as is the case sometimes, 

 especially where periostitis is present, it may be repeated, or the actual 

 cautery applied. The same treatment should be adopted where side 

 bones form or inflammation of the coronet bone ensues. When the 

 sole breaks through and exposes the coffin bone and soft tissues, 

 the feet must be carefully shod with thin heels and thick toes where 

 there is any tendency to walking on the heels, and the sole well 

 protected with appropriate dressing and pressure over the exposed 

 parts. When there is turning up of the toe, blistering of the coro- 

 net in front, carefully avoiding the quarters and heels, sometimes 

 stimulates the growth of horn, but as a rule judicious shoeing is 

 the only treatment that will keep the animal in a condition to do light, 

 slow work. 



Where suppuration of the laminae is profuse it is better to destroy 

 your patient at once and relieve his suffering, but if the suppuration is 

 limited to a small extent of tissue, especially of the sole, treatment as 

 in acute cases may induce recovery and should always be tried. If from 

 bed-sores or other causes septicaemia or pyaemia is feared, the bisulphite 

 of .soda in half -ounce doses may be given in conjunction with tonics and 

 other treatment indicated in these diseases. Regarding enforced encum- 

 bency the propriety of insisting upon it in the majority of cases is doubt- 

 ful because as a rule the animal assumes whatever position gives com- 

 fort. There can be no doubt that recumbency diminishes the amount 

 of blood sent to the feet, and that the suffering is greatly relieved while 

 in this position, so that the experiment of forcing the patient to lie 

 down may be tried, yet should not be renewed if it thereafter persists in 

 standing. 



