326 
A. ZUNDEL. 
which has the heels rather thin but resisting, and which rests on 
the wall proper, even of the diseased one, if not too painful, is to 
he preferred. If the shoe is for a low-heeled foot, the heels of 
the shoe should be thicker in order to supply their insufficient 
height and to offer more resistance to the weight of the body. 
Sometimes the protecting effect of the shoe must be completed 
by the use of a plate of gutta percha or leather between the foot 
and the shoe ; India rubber does not answer, as by its elasticity 
it interferes with the resistance of the shoe. It is absolutely 
necessary to preserve the hoof in a sufficiently supple condition, 
to effect which tar, hoof ointments, and other greasy substances 
are used. Flaxseed meal, poultices of cow manure and salt water, 
a damp bedding, tallow in the hollows of the heels, all are very 
good preventives and even curative means,which a careful hostler 
will not neglect. Paring the feet thin, as practiced by some, is 
very objectionable, and is a serious obstacle to the extirpation of 
corns. The feet should be pared as little as possible, especially 
at the heels or in the lacunae. 
As for the curative treatment , there are, according to H. 
Bouley, four indications to follow: First, remove the acting 
cause; second, treat the injury it has produced; third, relieve 
the pressure upon the diseased region, until it has returned to its 
healthy condition; fourth, prevent the return of the injury. 
The first indication is easy to fulfil with the accidental corn, but 
often nearly impossible in that due to a bad conformation of the 
feet. The second indication varies according to the extent of the 
disease. Generally it is advised to thin down the hoof at the 
bruised part and its surroundings, so as to relieve the pres¬ 
sure on congested or inflamed parts. Still, we are not in favor of 
too much thinning of the hoof, and except under peculiar condi¬ 
tions, would practice it very slightly. Even in the moist corn* 
we believe in leaving to the hoof a certain protective thickness. 
The pressure can be sensibly diminished by the application of 
chloroformed-oil, or of tincture of creasote ; they very readily 
penetrate the hoof, and act directly upon the inflamed parts. We 
believe that excessive paring, the “ cutting out of the corns,” to 
use the shoer’s expression, is injurious, and predisposes to new 
