254 THE DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



examination of the foot. The cutaneous balls or "pads" 

 should be examined for suppuration, especially apt to be 

 due to thorns and injuries. Also they are liable to be 

 too much worn by a long day's march or hunting over 

 hard rocky ground. The possibility of the foot having 

 been crushed or contused mast not be forgotten. The 

 claws should be carefully looked to for overgrowth or 

 sinuous ulcer, and between the toes we may seek for para- 

 sites or injury ; sprain, dislocation, and fracture may occur 

 in the foot. Sorb feet may be overworn, when they are 

 tender but recover in a day or two after bathing with 

 sulphate of zinc lotion, or, as a domestic remedy, milk. 

 They should be wrapped up carefully in poultice cloths 

 or protected by a leather boot. Foundered feet are those 

 in which inflammation of the true skin has occurred. It 

 is generally the result of too long journeys, and indicated 

 by high fever, inflammation of the balls of the feet with 

 suppuration, and even exposure of the sensitive layer so 

 that the animal cannot stand, suffers acute pain, and 

 constantly licks the part. This disease is especially seen 

 in sporting dogs which have had too little exercise out of 

 the season and are suddenly brought into work ; it also 

 results from contusions on rough ground and from 

 exposure to cold, as " frost-bite." The changes induced 

 may produce permanent soreness of the feet and so render 

 the animal quite unfit for future work. Such cases may 

 best be dealt with by fomentations and poultices if the 

 animal will allow them to remain on. The foot should be 

 protected with a boot, and febrifuge medicines and a 

 laxative dose will tend to promote a cure. This disease 

 is very liable to recur, a fact which should be carefully 

 remembered. In some cases of mange the root of the 

 claw is affected by the ravages of the parasites, ulceration 

 takes place, and the horny appendage becomes quite loose. 

 The disease is obstinate and resists ordinary remedies, and 

 does not seem to be improved by the animal almost 

 constantly licking it. The claw may in this case be 

 removed, after which the remedial agents will act directly 

 on the diseased parts, and cure will rapidly be effected ; 



