460 
TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING 
apt, when cured, to become excessively dry and contract. Many horses are 
passed as sound which would remain so if the feet were properly shod and treated 
from the moment of purchase, but which soon become cripples, with contraction 
of the feet from inattention. When an animal is to remain at rest for any time 
from want of use, illness, lameness of any kind, or from any reason, the feet 
need immediate and constant attention. At rest, especially if from a lameness, 
when the foot will be eased from the animal’s weight, the circulation is lessened, 
the food supply to the hard coverings is diminished, the walls are exposed to the 
evaporating air, and the foot contracts. This must be prevented by paring down 
the foot, readjusting the shoes, if needed, and proper dressings to supply tie 
deficient moisture. Carelessness is frequently shown in attempting to supply the 
foot with moisture. Water baths, and especially poultices, remove a certain 
amount of the fluid from the foot, and rot off the natural protecting varnish from 
the outside of the wall, and, unless they are promptly followed by other applica¬ 
tions, are apt to render the wall dryer than it was before, and to do more 
harm than good. Preparations of oil are apt to become rancid and produce a 
rotting effect ; when they are used, the foot should always be washed clean from 
the previous application before a fresh one is applied. Yellow wax, honey, pine 
tar, turpentine and heavy lubricating petroleum are among the preparations 
which can be used with advantage. There are also numerous inventions of 
sponges, fomenting pads, etc., which are of benefit, if not used constantly. 
But the most important of all preventive treatment is proper shoeing. If 
the foot is kept on its proper level with the frog and heels bearing so as to admit 
of the normal elasticity of the foot, the circulation of the blood will bring the 
proper nutrition and the natural emollients to the surface of the kertogenous por¬ 
tions of the foot, and little more will be needed except for the remedy of other 
pathological conditions. 
Curative Treatment .—Most of what has been said in regard to preventive 
treatment is applicable to the curative treatment of contraction. When contrac¬ 
tion has taken place the flooring and bedding of the stable must be looked to ; 
the moisture of the media which come in contact with the feet must be regu- 
fig. 7. 
lated ; the entire hygienic surroundings of the horse much guarded, as if we bad 
an ill animal to deal with. Tbe foot is now to be inspected carefully and the 
points and amount of contraction are to be determined. It is frequently useful, 
