218 DISEASES OF THE HORSE’S FOOT 
said, far less serious, and one in the posterior region of the 
foot even less serious still. 
Whenever possible, the nail or other object causing the 
prick should be examined. Much of the prognosis may be 
based upon the estimated depth of the wound, and this, in 
many cases, it is far safer to calculate from the length of 
the offending body than from the use of the probe. We 
need hardly say that in the middle zone the deeper the 
prick, the more serious the case, and the less favourable 
the prognosis. As in succession the sensitive sole, the 
plantar aponeurosis, the navicular bursa, the navicular 
bone, or the pedal articulation is injured, so with each step 
deeper of the prick is the severity of the case increased. 
The shape of the penetrating object may also be con- 
sidered. One excessively blunt, and calculated to bruise 
and crush the tissues, will inflict a more serious wound 
than one of equal length that is pointed and sharp. 
The conformation of the foot should also be regarded. 
Wounds in well-shaped feet are less serious than in feet 
with soles that are flat or convex, or in which the horn is 
pumiced or otherwise deteriorated in quality. 
Although unaffecting the prognosis so far as the sctimal 
termination of the case is concerned, it may be mentioned 
that punctured foot is far more serious in a nag than in a 
heavy draught animal. With an equal degree of lameness 
resulting in each case, the former will be well-nigh useless,. 
but the latter still capable of performing much of his usual 
labour. 
The temperament and condition of the patient will also 
in many cases largely influence the prognosis. An animal 
of excitable and nervous disposition is far more likely to 
succumb to the effects of pain and exhaustion than the 
horse of a more lymphatic type. In the case of a patient 
suffering from a prick to a hind-foot while heavily pregnant, 
the attempted forecast of the termination should be cautious. 
More especially does this apply to the case of a heavy cart- 
mare. Ordinarily, the heavier the breed, the greater the 
tendency to lymphatic swelling of the hind-limbs. With 
