METHOD OF EXAMINING THE FOOT 73 
the condition of their broken ends all being carefully noted 
as they are withdrawn. 
The removed shoe should next be examined as to the 
coarseness or fineness of its punching and the ‘ pitch’ of 
its nail-holes, and close attention given to the shape of its 
bearing surface. 
From that we may pass to a consideration of the under- 
neath surface of the foot. The drawing-knife should be 
run lightly over the whole of its surface, the first thing to 
be noticed being the point of entrance of the nails as 
compared with the coarseness or fineness of the punching, 
and the staining or otherwise of the horn immediately 
around. We may thus be guided towards mischief arising 
from tight nailing apart from actual prick of the foot. 
This done, more than usual care should be taken in 
following up any other small prick or dark spot that may 
show itself upon the white surface of the cleaned sole. In 
any case, a suspicious-looking speck should be followed up 
with the searcher until it is either cut out or is traced ‘to 
the sensitive structures. 
While this is done, we should also have noticed the 
condition of the horn at the seat of corn; should have 
noticed the shape of the heels, contracted or otherwise ; 
and the appearance of the frog, clean or discharging. 
A point to be remembered in making this exploratory 
paring of the foot is the peculiar consistency of the horn 
of the frog, and its tendency to hide the existence of 
punctures. In like manner, as a pin pierces a piece of 
indiarubber, and leaves no clearly visible trace of the hole 
it has made, so does a nail or other sharp object penetrate 
the frog, leaving but little to show for the mischief that 
has been done. 
After all, even though we may have fully decided the 
foot is at fault, our case of lameness may remain obscure 
so far as a cause is concerned. Nothing remains, then, 
but to acknowledge the inability to discover it, to advocate 
poulticing, or some other expectant palliative measure, and to 
bring the case up for further examination at no distant date. 
