550 
FRACTURE OF THE CARTILAGE OF THE FOOT. 
abscess formed around the coronary surface, and, not being properly 
attended to, there soon were leading from and to them numerous 
sinuses. I gave it as my opinion that there probably was deep- 
seated fracture, but of what nature I did not pretend to say ; and 
my treatment was, in some measure, regulated by this conviction. 
The superficial sinuses were laid freely open with a bistoury, as 
recommended by Mr. May hew, and the benefit produced from such 
surgical treatment was soon shewn by the altered appearances 
which the wounds put on. The healing process was soon brought 
about, and as more abscesses formed they were treated in the like 
manner. In about five or six weeks from the time when I was 
first called in, all the wounds were healed, but the animal remained 
excessively lame. I recommended further time to be allowed, as I 
was in hopes the animal might still become useful ; but, the propri- 
etor being tired of seeing the horse in the stable, and impatient 
because of the loss of its services, ordered it to be slaughtered. 
On examining the injured limb after death, I found the lateral 
cartilages ossified, and the outer one divided into two portions by 
a perpendicular fracture, and the posterior half perfectly detached 
from the coffin-bone of the near fore foot. Nature, however, had 
been labouring to restore the parts. Temporary callus was already 
formed, and a considerable portion of it converted into bone. Had 
the time I sought to obtain for the animal been granted, I have no 
hesitation in asserting the horse would have ultimately recovered. 
But, at the same time, I do not deny I was ignorant as to the real 
nature of the case, and my treatment, consequently, was rather di- 
rected by the symptoms than guided by any idea as to the precise 
locality of the injury in which they took their rise. The post- 
mortem examination, however, gave me the information I wanted, 
and three months did not elapse before I had an opportunity of 
applying the knowledge I thereby obtained. 
Case II. — In July, I was requested to look at a brown horse of 
the light cart breed, reported to have met with an accident. The 
animal had fallen down, and with the opposite leg had struck the 
off hind foot, producing only a slight abrasion. When brought to 
me the horse was exceedingly lame, and all I could discover upon 
examination was a small superficial wound upon the coronary sur- 
face, such as is ordinarily produced by what is termed “ cutting.” 
The injury not being sufficient to account for such an amount of 
lameness, I was led to a more minute examination, when I pro- 
nounced that there was decided fracture of the cartilage. The 
horse was sent home, and to the managing gentleman of the esta- 
blishment I reported that the case was likely to be a troublesome 
one. He requested me to do what I deemed necessary, and con- 
