FOUNDER. 107 



Caiises. Giving cold water when overheated, and tired 

 from overwork". A tendency in the feet to take on 

 inflammatory action. The animal not in proper health or 

 condition for performing heavy or fast work. 



Treatment. Place the horse in a wide and airy stall, with 

 plenty of good straw for bedding to encourage the horse to 

 lie down, which will relieve him very much. Indeed, so 

 much is this the case, that it has been recommended that 

 every foundered horse should be forcibly thrown and kept 

 down, till the active stage of the disease has passed ofi: 

 This, however, I do not advise, as the horse is excited 

 enough without increasing it by throwing him from his 

 feet. Rather give good bedding, and the majority of 

 horses so affected will be ready and willing to lie down of 

 their own accord. After the place is all fixed, and the 

 horse moved into it, give him twenty drops of the tincture 

 of aconite root in a cupful of cold water, poured into the 

 mouth with a bottle having a strong neck. Repeat the 

 dose every four hours, till six to eight doses have been 

 given. Apply cold ice-water cloths to the feet. In a few 

 hours, possibly, the shoes can be taken off. At first, this 

 generally cannot be done, except the animal is down. 

 Care should be taken in removing the shoes, so that every 

 nail is made loose before an attempt is made to pull off the 

 shoes. Have as little hammering on the foot as possible, 

 as it will shake the great and over-sensitive frame. Let 

 the cold water be kept on constantly for the first day, or until 

 the active pain gives way. At leisure, the feet can be 

 pared thin on the soles, so they will yield to pressure with 

 the fingers. By getting the animal to lie down as soon as 

 possible after he gets in ; the cold water cloths applied, and 

 the aconite given; the animal in a day or two may be 

 nothing the worse from the attack. The longer the animaJ 



