786 DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 
pedal-joint lies scarcely more than f of an inch below the coronary 
border of the horn, but as we pass back it recedes from the coronet, 
and is therefore less easily injured. For this reason, and also because 
of the danger of injury to the extensor pedis tendon, injuries at the toe 
are always more dangerous than those at the side of the foot. 
(‘2) the size of the swelling and degree of lameness. As probing 
gives no reliable information of the extent of the injury, and may 
produce perforation of the pedal-joint, or introduce septic substances 
into the depths of the wound, the operator, in forming his prognosis, is 
forced to fall hack on the amount of swelling and pain. Particular 
leticence should be observed when the parts are exceedingly painful but 
swelling is limited, especially if the pain is without visible cause. The 
general condition, appetite, temperature, &c., must, of course, not be 
neglected in forming a prognosis. 
Diagnosis is rarely difficult, though in horses with long hair about 
the feet some little care is required to discover the injury. When 
neciosis sets in it may be doubtful whether the original injury was a 
tread, or whether we have to deal with a case of spontaneous gangrene. 
Blushing, and similar injuries, produce wounds resembling those caused 
by treads both in course and consequences. 
Treatment. The first and most important precaution is to clean and 
disinfect the wound. The hair which has been thrust into it by the 
heels of the other shoe, and the septic material which is always intro¬ 
duced in large quantities, should as far as possible be removed. The 
surrounding hair is clipped away, and any loose shreds of dead tissue 
cut oft with scissors, llie entire hoof, particularly the coronet, is then 
washed and the wound soaked with carbolic solution, or, if time allow, 
the foot may be immersed in a bath of antiseptic solution. The wound 
may also be sponged out or injected with a 10 per cent, solution of 
chloude of zinc. If the coronary band be much swollen, the horn should 
be lasped away over an area corresponding to the swelling before the 
final dressing is applied. Moist carbolic or sublimate dressings are 
piefeiable, and aftei the wound has been dusted with iodoform, a mass 
of tow, moistened with a disinfectant, is applied, the whole being covered 
with seveial large tampons of oakum, which are held in position by a 
bandage. Excessive pressure must be avoided. If the dressing be too 
tightly applied, it not only increases pain, but favours necrosis in the 
legion of the coionet. Once the dressing is applied, it can be kept moist 
by pouring over it several times a day a disinfecting fluid. If pain 
diminishes and the dressing is not saturated with discharge, the latter 
may be left in position for two or three days, otherwise it should at once 
be renewed. Should suppuration occur, the moist dressing should be 
replaced by a dry one. 
