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DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 
The process, described by Schleg as chronic ulceration of the hoof or 
“ thrush ” of the sensitive laminae, is usually confined to a spot the size 
of a shilling in the lower parts of the sensitive laminae. Sometimes, 
however, it extends upwards along the laminae, and may even reach the 
coronet, but there seems no tendency to penetrate more deeply. The 
chronic irritation around the diseased spot sometimes causes formation 
of keratomata (see last chapter). 
The condition is due to chronic irritation, but it is as inaccurate to 
describe it as ulceration as it would be to apply the same term to canker. 
The two processes, however, often show so great a resemblance as to 
be distinguished only with difficulty at the first glance. The principal 
difference consists in the benignant character and amenability to 
treatment of the disease now under consideration, as opposed to the 
very careful and prolonged treatment demanded by canker. The 
rapidly curable cases of canker, sometimes described, are probably 
due to this disease. 
The condition generally develops after acute inflammation caused by 
pricks, separation, or Assuring of the wall. Schleg saw the disease 
result from separation. Should the inflammatory centre become 
infected, healing is delayed, and the disease may become chronic. 
This is shown by the fact that after removal of the infected portion 
of wall and careful cleansing of the surface of the sensitive lamime, 
healing generally follows in three to four weeks. 
Symptoms. Attention is first attracted by the lameness or escape of 
discharge through the white line during shoeing. The extent of diseased 
tissue can be detected by probing. Lameness is not a constant feature, 
but appears immediately acute inflammation is set up by the entrance of 
foreign substances. 
The only difficulty in diagnosis consists in distinguishing this condition 
from canker, a point which often can only be settled by observing the 
course of the disease. Healing rapidly follows removal of the portion of 
wall covering the diseased laminae, whereas in canker the same treat¬ 
ment produces active swelling and vegetations from the sensitive lamime, 
which extend beyond the aperture thus made, and require great care to 
reduce. In this respect the two conditions present a very important 
difference. 
Treatment. The first step is to at once remove the wall covering the 
diseased spot by means of the rasp and guarded knife without injuring 
the diseased sensitive laminae; it is, therefore, necessary to note accurately 
the point of division between the horny and vascular parts. After 
cleansing, as far as possible, the diseased laminae, they are painted with 
liquor ferri sesquichlor. ; a mass of tow or jute, soaked with the same 
fluid, is applied to the diseased spot, and fastened by means of a 
