AN ESSAY ON CHRONIC PODOTltOCHOLlTlS. 
37 
powers, offers the greatest obstacles to medical treatment, and, 
where it is inveterate, constitutes a sore for which we have, as 
yet, discovered no balm. Too frequently it happens that we are 
foiled in attempting a cure ; the horse is left, unfitted for use, to fall, 
in the end, under the axe of the slaughterer. 
The disease has its seat in parts composed of a tissue endowed 
with a species of vegetative life ; and we all know from experience, 
that, when once such parts get out of their normal condition, it is 
difficult to restore them to their primitive state. We also know 
that chronic phlegmasia of fibrous tissues, and caries , are in general 
very obstinate affections. The continual friction of the diseased 
parts one against the other renders such lesions more serious ; and 
their situation isolates them from any direct influence of therapeu- 
tic agents. All these circumstances united, cause chronic podotro- 
cholitis to be always an extremely dangerous affection. 
At its commencement, when we may suppose that as yet 
but simple inflammation exists, and while the condition of the 
animal is such as to admit of the application of a rational course of 
treatment, the prognostic becomes rather more favourable. But if 
the disease be of long standing, if there be cause to appre- 
hend such effects of inflammation as caries, or partial destruction of 
the tendon, chronic podotrocholitis will resist most obstinately all 
modes of treatment, however judicious and persevering. The 
symptoms indicative of a high degree of chronicity are, sinking 
and depression of the wall, and rims formed around the hoof ; lastly, 
atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder. These indicate advanced 
stages of the local disease, and the ravages it has made. 
Complication with other foot affections is much to be feared ; 
for the inflammations of the other tissues react upon the principal 
disease, and render its progress more rapid and dangerous. 
When both feet are simultaneously affected the prognostic is par- 
ticularly unfavourable. The horse cannot then spare either of the 
suffering parts for rest; the compression and friction become per- 
manent ; causes which offer incessant impediments to the sanatory 
tendency of any treatment employed. 
In all cases the prognosis should be pronounced with caution. 
When the disease is of long standing, or complicated, or established 
in both feet, the owner can only be informed that there is a possi- 
bility, and from all appearances a probability, that the issue will 
be fatal. It is also necessary to act with prudence and circum- 
spection when pronouncing on the stage of the disease ; since 
it often exists for a length of time unperceived, and is said to be 
incipient or recent when inflammation, with all its morbid con- 
sequences, has already been for some time developed. 
Therapeutics . — If the pathology of chronic podotrocholitis owes 
