542 
A. ZUNDEL. 
This, we have already said, can be established by the severity 
of the lameness. The nature of the foreign body must also be 
taken into consideration ; if blunt, which crushes the tissues, it is 
more dangerous than if sharp and pointed. In a flat or convex 
foot, punctured wounds are more serious than in a well-made 
foot. They are less serious in heavy than in light draught horses, 
as the former, though they may remain lame, are still useful. 
The excitable condition of a patient will also alter the prognosis. 
Wounds of the anterior feet are more serious than those of the 
posterior. 
V. Treatment .—In all cases, the first indication is to obtain a 
natural cicatrization and natural repair, always more rapid and 
perfect than that which is gained by surgical interference. This 
is generally easily secured, and for this reason it is important to 
avoid too severe manipulations upon the injured foot. One must 
watch the progress of the disease, give the foot as much rest as 
possible, remove the shoe, thin down in its whole extent the 
plantar hoof, so as to avoid any pressure, and keep the foot in a 
cooling bath—ordinary cold water, to which often is added acetate 
of lead, sulphate of iron, or common salt, very beneficially. Poul¬ 
tices cold, preferable to hot, give excellent results. By this treat¬ 
ment the progress of the inflammation is checked and very often 
deep and serious wounds, even those where the tendinous sheath 
lias been injured, are easily cured. If the lameness gradually 
diminishes, the case rapidly gets well; at any rate by this treat¬ 
ment the inflammatory process is diminished, and the painful 
pressure of the hardened and thick hoof is avoided. 
In the winter, when cold baths are of difficult application, 
chloroformed or carbolized compresses may be applied round the 
foot. The hoof is thus softened, and the pain reduced. At other 
times a blister is applied round the coronet. 
If the lameness remains, or seems to increase, it is due to 
tendinous necrosis or caries, and it becomes necessary to operate. 
Must the surgeon then have recourse to an operation, and make 
a simple wound with his sharp instrument ? Or, is it still better 
to merely depend on natural resources, and assist them ? 
It is difficult to lay down any special rules. If the disease is 
