DISEASES OF THE FETLOCK, ANKLE, AND FOOT. 445 



feet become simply the fulcra of the levers of progressioH, and are 

 almost exempt from concussion. 



One foot. — Injuries and excessive functional performance are tJie 

 causes of the disease in only one foot. The general symptoms, as a 

 rule, are not severe, there being often no loss of appetite and no un- 

 usual thirst, while the pulse, temperature, and respiration remain 

 about normal. TThe weight of the body is early thrown upon the op- 

 posite foot, and the affected one is extended, repeatedly raised from 

 the floor, and then carefully replaced. When made to move forward 

 the lame foot is either carried in the air while progression is accom- 

 plished by hopping with the healthy one, or e lse <^he heel of the first 

 is placed upon the ground and receives little weight while the sound 

 limb is quickly advanced. Progression in a straight line is more 

 easy than turning toward the lame side. 



Both fore feet. — When both fore feet are affected the symptoms 

 are well marked. The lameness is excessive and the animal almost 

 immovable. Wlien standing the head hangs low down, or rests upon 

 the manger as a means of support and to relieve the feet; the fore 

 feet are well extended so that the weight is thrown upon the heels, 

 where the tissues are least sensitive, least inflamed, and most capa- 

 ble of relief by free effusion. The hind feet are brought forward 

 beneath the body to receive as much weight as possible, thereby re- 

 lieving the diseased ones. If progression is attempted, which rarely 

 happens voluntarily during the first three or four days, it is accom- 

 plished with very great pain and lameness at the starting, which 

 usually subsides to an extent after a few minutes' exercise. During 

 this exercise, if the animal happens to step upon a small stone or 

 other hard substance, he stumbles painfully and is excessively lame 

 in the offended member for a number of steps, owing to the acute 

 pain which pressure upon the sole causes in the tissues beneath. The 

 manner of the progression is pathognomonic of the complaint. 

 Sometimes the affected feet are simultaneously raised from the 

 ground (the hind ones sustaining the weight), then advanced a short 

 distance and carefully replaced ; at almost the same moment the hind 

 ones are quickly shuffled forward near to the center of gravitation. 



In other instances one foot at a time is advanced and placed with 

 the heel upon the ground in the same careful manner, all causes of 

 concussion being carefully avoided. In attempting to back the ani- 

 mal he is found to be almost stationary, simply swaying the body 

 backward on the haunches and elevating the toes of the diseased feet 

 as they rest upon their heels. In attempting to turn either to the 

 right or left he allows his head to be drawn to the one side to its full 

 extent before moving, then makes his hind feet the axis around 

 which the forward ones describe a shuffling circle. 



