98 The Diseases of Animals 



feet, in the angle formed by the bar and the wall of 

 the inside quarter. They usually result from stepping 

 upon stones or other hard substances. Horses with flat, 

 weak feet are more liable than others to have corns. 



There is severe lameness; the horse tries to step on 

 the outer edge of the foot as much as possible. The 

 lameness is most marked when the horse is driven 

 on hard roads. In standing, the leg is bent to take 

 all weight off the affected foot. If the foot is ex- 

 amined, a dark brown spot will be seen where the corn 

 is located. Tapping this spot with a hammer causes 

 pain. 



In most cases the dark spot is a collection of blood 

 or pus that needs to be removed. A hole cut through 

 the sole of the foot, allowing this fluid to escape, gives 

 relief. The hole should be washed out and turpentine, 

 white lotion or a five per cent solution of carbolic acid 

 in water applied. The shoe should be removed and the 

 animal kept in a clean stall. As soon as the discharge 

 ceases, a little pine tar cau be applied to the opening to 

 keep out the dirt. In treating corns, avoid burning 

 with caustics unless "proud flesh" forms, as this is 

 likely to injure the tissues and interfere with the growth 

 of new horn. A broad webbed bar shoe should be 

 put on with a leather between the sole and the shoe. 

 The leather is to be kept on only a few days until the 

 horn grows a little, or it is likely to collect dirt. Horses 

 subject to corns should be shod with wide webbed bar 

 shoes to protect the feet. Wearing a shoe for too 

 long a period without resetting so that it bears on the 

 sole of the foot may cause corns. 



