515 
THE HORSE’S FOOT. 
heavy rider, slipping in steeple-chases, racing, a sudden stop on 
the forefeet, especially on stony, hard, frozen or rough grounds. 
All these are fruitful causes of navicular disease. 
Traumatic causes, such as punctured wounds, involving the 
sesamoideal sheath, are also productive causes which may origi¬ 
nate navicular disease. We do not believe in internal causes, 
nor admit, with Loiset, that visceral inflammation, sudden arrest 
of perspiration, especially of the lower part of the legs, can pro¬ 
duce the disease. We should rather anticipate that these metas- 
tases would affect more the more important serous structures. 
Neither can we admit, with Lafosse, that this affection can also 
follow a sudden arrest of the milky secretion. 
VII.— Treatment .—We have seen, in speaking of the termi¬ 
nations of this lesion, that in certain peculiar circumstances which 
may be accounted favorable to the return of the elasticity of the 
foot, a spontaneous recovery is possible. This leads us to the 
measure of the prophylactic means proper to be used ; and it seems 
evident that by a better hygiene of the feet, by rational shoeing, 
sometimes by putting young horses only gradually to fast work, 
one may, in many cases, avoid navicular disease. 
While it is in its first stages, one may with care and patience, 
sometimes relieve the patient. In this case, absolute rest is counter- 
indicated, but on the contrary, moderate exercise, upon even and 
not too hard ground; or, if the lameness is great, walking exer¬ 
cise only, at a moderate gait. The absorption of the serosity 
present is made easier by a little exercise, than by absolute rest. 
Bleeding from the toe, or the veins of the affected legs, is also, at 
least, superfluous, the disease becoming chronic almost at the out¬ 
set. It is also a good practice to shoe the horse, and above all, to 
remove the shoe frequently. The best shoeing is that which 
allows for the natural expansion of the hoof. The Charlier shoe 
has proved useful, while the bar shoe, which is heavier, and 
presses upon the frog, is counter-indicated. It is important to en¬ 
courage the suppleness of the hoof by proper ointment, especi¬ 
ally the application of glycerine, and to have under the feet a 
bedding always slightly damp and soft. The bedding of moist 
saw-dust is very covenient; we prefer it to poultices, and even to 
