THE HORSE’S FOOT. 
465 
excessive. This mode of diagnosis was originally indicated by 
Brauell: When, after more or less exercise, the animal is allowed 
to cool off, he at once points, straightens his fetlock, and slightly 
flexes the knee; the leg has a trembling motion, and no rest is 
taken upon the heels. 
There are, however, according to Ilertwig, cases where navic¬ 
ular disease suddenly reaches a period where, in the stable, the 
animal avoids all resting on the heel; points constantly, and hesi¬ 
tates to put his foot on the ground when made to walk. It always 
seems that there must be some traumatic lesion in the foot, as a 
punctured wound or a suppurating corn; and still there is no in¬ 
creased heat in the hoof, and no extraordinary pulsation of the 
arteries of the foot. 
The disease has a tendency to increase, and the animal soon 
becomes very lame upon being put to work, especially on a hard 
road or rough ground. The heat of the foot is increased princi¬ 
pally after work, though not in proportion to the lameness.. The 
sensibility of the foot is also more manifest under the exploring 
pressure of the nippers. In the stable the pointing is well 
marked and the trembling of the leg gives signs of deep and per¬ 
sistent pain. It is only after several months of this suffering that 
tlie foot begins gradually to show a change of shape. Tt then 
becomes visibly narrowed and elongated, in a manner which can 
readily be detected both by sight and measurement. There is a 
general atrophy of the hoof; the periople has disappeared, or scales 
off; the foot becomes covered with ridges, more or less marked, 
but better developed towards the heels; the frog has become 
sunken and atrophied ; the sole is ecchymosed, presenting evi¬ 
dences of corns; and the leg is atrophied, especially about the 
muscles of the shoulder. 
In cases where both fore-feet are affected, the animal points 
with either foot alternately, while seeking the desired relief for 
each, but the rest on cither is very short. The hind legs are 
brought under the centre of gravity, the back is arched, and the 
decubitus prolonged. In stepping out of the stable, both fore 
feet are held stiffly, and kept close to the ground; the animal 
