DISEASES OF THE JOINTS 441 
rare, but which has been noticed by Loiset, and quoted by 
Zundel—the animal is stiff behind, walks on his toes, and 
gives one the impression that he is suffering from some 
affection in the region of the loins. 
One such case is reported by an English veterinary 
surgeon, and we quote it here: 
‘A gray gelding, and a capital hunter, the property of 
a gentleman in this neighbourhood, became lame in the 
near fore-foot after the hunting season of 1859. The lame- 
ness was believed to be due to navicular disease. The 
operation of neurectomy was ultimately had recourse to. 
The horse subsequently did his work as well as ever, and 
was ridden to hounds regularly till the end of the year 
1861, when he went lame of the off fore-foot. From this 
date he also showed very peculiar action behind, and was 
at times lame of both hind-limbs without any apparent 
cause. 
‘In the year 1862, from the groom’s indiscreet use of 
physic, superpurgation was brought on which caused the 
animal’s death. On a post-mortem examination being 
made, the horse was found to have navicular disease of all 
jour feet. It is worthy of note that this horse had always 
“extravagant”’ action behind, but was a remarkably quick 
and good jumper.’* 
Differential Diagnosis.—Navicular disease may be mis- 
taken for ordinary contracted foot. It will be remembered, 
however, that in the early stages of navicular disease con- 
traction is absent, and that it is only when the disease in 
the bursa is of long standing that contraction comes on. 
With ordinary contracted foot, too, careful paring and 
suitable shoeing soon sees a diminution in the degree of 
lameness, and a return to the normal in shape (see Treat- 
ment of Contracted Foot, p. 125). With navicular disease, 
however, such shoeing as is beneficial in the treatment of 
contracted foot (notably the various methods of giving to 
the frog counter-pressure with ground) soon brings on an 
aggravation of the lameness. 
* F. Blakeway, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinarian, vol. lii., p. 21. 
