464 
A. ZUNDEL. 
is followed by the contraction, or that the hoof, originally con¬ 
tracted, gives rise to the subsequent alterations of structure which 
constitute navicularthritis. At present we shall only consider 
the deep inflammation of the podosesamoideal articulation, oc¬ 
curring without primitive alteration in the form of the foot. 
I- Symptoms .— These are at first obscure. The lesion is 
deeply situated, and is, so to speak, concealed in the hoof, which 
itself, is generally at first of very limited extent. The first symp¬ 
tom which attracts attention is the lameness, which sometimes, 
indeed, seems to be merely a certain weakness of the affected leg. 
*1 his lameness is at first intermittent and slight, but gradually in¬ 
creases. When in the stable, the animal “ points,” that is” the 
diseased foot is carried forward of a vertical line, and assumes a 
state of general relaxation of the muscles, with the coronet 
stiaightened .ind the foot mostly resting on tire toe. This incom¬ 
plete lest of the leg, which is sometimes kept in motion forward 
and backwards, becomes especially apparent if the animal is 
moved backward in his stall. He then sets down his foot with 
much hesitation, and for a short time ; the same thing also occurs 
when, in order to relieve the opposite leg, the animal puts all his 
weight on the diseased one. Still, a close examination of the foot 
fails to ie\ eal any marked lesion j no change of form appearing, 
no pain at the coronary band ; merely a little heat toward the 
heels, or on the frog, where there can also be found a certain 
amount of low and deep sensibility, made apparent only by per¬ 
cussion of the hammer upon the foot, or by the pressure with the 
blacksmith’s nippers, principally toward the heels and the frog. 
According to Lafosse, the frog is often found indurated, atrophied 
and thrushy. If exercised, the horse frequently stumbles, and 
sometimes falls on his knees j he fears the pain of resting the heels 
on the ground, and is limited in the movements of his knee and 
fetlock. If the heels are pared off, in such a manner that the 
frog is well prominent, and the horse becomes much heated, the 
lameness is increased, although at first it may have been very 
slight. Blacksmiths may frequently obtain the same result by 
placing under the foot a bar shoe, which, then resting on the frog, 
and not the heels, greatly aggravates the lameness until it becomes 
