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-sign of navicular disease. When an animal thus affected is to be sold ata 
fair, he is commonly tied up closely to the manger, so that he cannot point 
his feet, and thus the unwary are deceived; for the lameness may not be 
_apparent in the cursory trot up and down the soft ground outside the stable, 
The best way to detect this insidious malady, is to ride the animal six or 
eight miles briskly, and then let him stand Joosely tzed. If affected with 
navicular disease, he will then probably soon point one or both fore feet, 
After resting a quarter of an hour, he should then be led out of the stable, ; 
and trotted up and down on hard ground. The peculiar characteristic gait 
will then in most instances become apparent. In these trials the animal 
should carry a good fair weight. 
Horses affected with navicular disease generally stumble a great deal, 
-and thus not uncommonly break their knees ; but, when worked judiciously,: 
.and not trotted fast on hard ground, they may work well for many years.. 
On soft ground, affected animals are benefited by regular work, and may be 
used for hunting or other purposes. Indeed, it is not at all uncommon to 
see a horse with navicular disease in the chase. When the disease becomes 
-confirmed, the lamenesss does not necessarily increase ; for the caries of the 
‘bone and its cartilages may remain in a somewhat similar condition for 
years. In most cases of navicular disease, the lameness is most pronounced 
-on first leaving the stable; but it gradually disappears, perhaps entirely, 
during exercise. 
The treatment of navicular disease will necessarily vary considerably 
-with the nature of the case. In those very acute cases which come on very 
suddenly in the course of a week or so, it is advisable to give the animal five 
-or six drachms of aloes, and feed him. for three days on warm water and 
bran mashes. Poultices for a week or a fortnight will also prove very 
useful. Internally one ounce of bicarbonate of potassium may be given 
twice daily in the water fora week or more. Blistering the coronets with 
ointment of biniodide of mercury, and the turning out the animal to grass 
for six months ,will sometimes effect a cure. Bleeding from the coronets is 
