16 INFLAMMATION IN THE FEET OF HORSES. 
his feet, and experiences, if not ease, at least diminished suffering. 
While lying, the local heat felt on clasping the hoof is often of 
itself sufficient to discover the malady; should it not, his manner 
of expressing pain may serve to point it out; for it is in most cases, 
even in the recumbent posture, a distressingly painful disease; so 
much so, that the horse will often extend himself at length, and 
paw about, and absolutely groan with anguish. 
Symptomatic fever is an attendant, and will generally be found 
to keep pace with the local pain. The pulse becomes strong and 
very quick ; every external part feels hot; his eyes are full and 
watery ; his mouth is parched, his tongue rough and dry; his 
bowels are costive; he loaths every kind of provender, but drinks 
copiously and with avidity. 
Treatment. 
In setting about the treatment of inflammation, according to 
the notions we at the present day entertain of what is called “ the 
proximate cause” of that disturbed action, it is our duty to disco¬ 
ver, first, its true seat; and, next, to consider what the particular 
part in which it is seated so differs from others, either in structure 
or function, as to require modification in the kind, intensity, or 
application of the means. Now, it so happens, in the case before 
us, that the parts we have to treat are peculiar in structure, pe¬ 
culiar in function, and peculiar in their relations. They are parts 
that do not readily inflame; but, once having taken on inflamma¬ 
tory action, they become very prone to the destructive or disor¬ 
ganizing process; and, therefore, do they require in such a state, 
on our part, the utmost vigilance and the utmost activity. Al¬ 
though of a tough ligamentous texture, they are parts most abun¬ 
dantly furnished with blood-vessels, and these blood-vessels are 
so arranged and distributed as to be able to ooze forth horny mat¬ 
ter from their mouths. They are parts highly elastic, and by vir¬ 
tue of this property are enabled to elongate and again contract at 
every step the animal makes. They are parts inclosed within a 
homy case, which they completely fill, by which their movements 
are regulated, by which they are protected from injury, and 
through which alone can they be inflamed by external agents. 
Such°reminiscences I beg to impress on the mind of the practi¬ 
tioner before he presumes to undertake the treatment of this im¬ 
portant disease. Aware of the fatal consequences of suppuration, 
we must do all in our power to subdue the violence and cut short 
the duration of the inflammatory action; and, as I insisted be¬ 
fore, do what we mean to do without loss of time. It is true, 
that we cannot be said to be contending with life itself, but we 
have to save that from destruction which is of equal value to the 
