232 Veterinurg Elements. 



direction, thus penetrating into or bearing on the quick, 

 the lameness and pain may not show for a day or even 

 for a couple of weeks, in the latter case pus is likely 

 forming. Some horses have thin walled hoofs and are 

 easily pricked; the nearer the heel the greater the dan- 

 ger, inside quarters being oftener pricked than outside 

 ones. If a horse has been left shod for some months and 

 when reshod has the foot cut down pretty well, he is apt 

 to go lame, due to the strain thrown on the tendons and 

 ligaments or to the sole having been made too thin thus 

 pressing on the sensitive parts, and the animal may be 

 thought to have been pricked. If a horse goes lame 

 after shoeing, the nail being driven high or the point 

 not shown; or the hammer gives a dull sound, we may 

 suspect pricking; if blood follows the withdrawal of a 

 nail, or if the nail is wet, due to matte] 1 (pus) we can be 

 certain that the quick has been hurt, in some cases after 

 paring the feet a stain may be seen around the nail hole. 

 The color of the matter (pus) is often a guide as to the 

 extent of the injury, if black, the wound is only super- 

 ficial and will soon recover; a yellowish color shows pus 

 more or less deep seated; if purple and a putrid smell 

 the chances are that the pedal bone is affected, should 

 great pain be shown after letting out the matter, the 

 injury is very serious. In this form of disease the same 

 rules apply as to other wounds, plenty of drainage so as to 

 get the pus away must be given, hence pare the foot, steep 

 in a hot antiseptic solution for a couple of hours, or a bath 

 of bluestone — one ounce to a pint of water — may be given 

 daily, for an hour; if the hoof is hard the application 

 of a hot flaxseed poultice will be useful, before doing 



