148 DISEASES OF THE HORSE’S FOOT 
pavings, and is of only limited utility for slow work upon 
soft lands. The more serious form, that following acute 
laminitis, and complicated by the presence of pus, we may 
regard as beyond hope of treatment. 
With the more simple form of the condition, we may do 
much to render greater the animal’s usefulness. The same 
principles as were applied to the shoeing of flat feet will 
have to be observed here. Trimming or paring of any 
kind, save ‘ straightening up’ of the wall, must be severely 
discountenanced. A broad-webbed shoe, one that will give 
a certain amount of cover to the sole, is indicated. As in 
the treatment of flat-foot, however, direct pressure upon 
the sole must be avoided, and the shoe ‘seated.’ The 
‘seating,’ however, should not commence from the absolute 
outer margin of the shoe’s upper surface. A flat bearing 
should be given to the wall and the white line, and the 
seating commenced at the sole. 
We have already remarked on the increased growth of 
horn at the heels. It is in this position, then, that will be 
found the greatest bearing surface for the shoe, and it is 
wise, in this case, to have the heels of the shoe kept flat. 
In other words, the ‘ seating’ is not to be continued to the 
hindermost portion of the branches of the shoe. By this 
means there may be obtained at each heel a good solid 
bearing of from 2 to 8 inches, which would otherwise be lost. 
Where the accompanying condition of the horn is bad 
enough to indicate it, a leather sole should be used, beneath 
which has been packed a compress of tow and grease, 
rendered more or less antiseptic by being mixed with tar. 
Where the sole is exceedingly thin, and inclined to be 
easily wounded, and where the hoof, by its brittleness, has 
become chipped and ragged at the lower margin of the 
wall, it may perhaps be more advantageous to use, in place 
of the compress of tow, the huflederkitt of Rotten. This 
is a leather-like, dark brown paste. When warmed in hot 
water, or by itself, it becomes soft and plastic, and may 
readily be pressed to the lower surface of the foot, so as to 
fill in all little cracks and irregularities, and furnish a 
