WOUNDS 211 
seat of the lameness. These, though well enough known 
to the practitioner, are nevertheless difficult to describe. 
It is, in fact, hard to say exactly in what they really 
consist, appearing to be as much a matter of intuition as of 
actual observation. 
There is a peculiar ‘feeling’ characteristic in the gait. 
The affected foot is put forward fearlessly enough, but is 
not nearly so rapidly put to the ground. When at rest the 
foot is almost immediately pointed, and the pain at inter- 
vals manifested by pawing movements. It is this extreme 
liberty of the rest of the limb, as evinced during the paw- 
ing movements, that really strikes one. Shoulder, elbow, 
knee, and fetlock are all easily and painlessly flexed and 
extended. There is nothing wrong with them; it must be 
the foot. The short manipulation necessary to- test the 
lameness—viz., the walk and slow trot—is sufficient to 
raise the animal’s pulse and quicken the breathing. 
All this is enough, and more than enough, to lead the 
veterinary surgeon to examine the foot. It is hot to the 
touch, and at the coronet tender to pressure, possibly in a 
neglected case fluctuating at the heel. Pain is evinced by 
the animal withdrawing his foot when percussion takes 
place over the affected spot. In a bad case one gentle tap 
is all that is needed. The animal at once snatches away 
his foot, holds it high from the ground, and makes pawing 
movements in the air. At that moment, too, his coun- 
tenance is highly expressive of the pain he is suffering. 
Again the foot is explored, the injury found, and the pus 
liberated. 
Regarding the manner of exploration of the foot we will 
take first that case in which the veterinary surgeon is 
called in early, and in which pus has not yet had time to 
form. Sometimes the merest cleaning up of the inferior 
surface of the foot then reveals a distinct stab either in the 
sole or the frog. 
If the accident be recent only a little blood will be found, 
either liquid, or coagulated about the wound. Later there 
exudes from the stab a flow of yellow, serous fluid. The 
14—2 
