remedial mea

sures to this

writer on the foot: of course, I allude more particularly to the occult contraction, as connected with Importance of navicular lameness. The timely application of remedial measures for the prevention of lameness would contribute more to the public weal than the discovery of an infallible cure for glanders; of such frequent and daily occurrence is this chronic foot lameness.

antecedent complaint.

If the foregoing observations are well founded, it follows, that one of the first indications of cure will be the depression of the coffin bone, in order that that bone, together with the navicular, may resume its original and natural situation, which will be found, on the inspection of a considerable number of colts' feet, between the ages of three and four years, to approach much nearer the ground or base of the foot than is generally supposed.

By way of illustration, and speaking generally, I will venture to assert, that the nearer the heels of the coffin bone, by the conformation of the foot, reach the surface of the ground, the less likely is the navicular joint to become diseased, and vice versû. Such instances are numerous in low heels and flat soles; but when these weak, thin feet occasionally fail with navicular disease, the cause is totally of a different nature, and may be generally traced to an accidental bruise from a stone.

On this principle I account for the well-known fact of a certain description of active horses, possess

horses of pecu

tion and action,

from contrac

ing little or no pretensions to breeding, and heavy cart horses, which appear exempt from contraction Cart horses and through life, resisting the constraint even of iron liar conformaand nails. Their escape is owing to peculiar con- almost exempt formation, not only of foot but of leg, possessing tion. large flexor tendons, likewise peculiarity of action, being all flexion with very little extension (going diametrically the reverse of the blood-horse), with their knees up, and flat upon their heels. In fact, they are for ever on their flexors, putting the elastic laminæ of the heels and quarters so much upon the stretch, as actually to influence and increase the ob- The reasons liquity of the crust even in front of the foot: thereby keeping down the navicular and coffin bones sufficiently low, in defiance of iron and nails. may, therefore, almost say, such horses never have navicular disease, except when it occurs from an accidental cause, such as a severe wrench from slipping the foot in a hole, or any other sudden external violence. In such occasional cases of lameness, contraction of the hoof will be the effect of navicular disease instead of the cause.

I

Curative Treatment -The means by which the Coffin and Navicular Bones may regain their original stations, and be retained therein.

Here, Gentlemen, in my humble opinion, has been the stumbling-block. It is known and admitted that the ancient, as well as modern veteri

explained.

Specific direc

tions for opening the foot.

narians, were successful in removing this lameness for a shorter or longer period; but books, both of the old and modern school, abound with the fact of the too frequent recurrence of the disease, and its termination in permanent lameness. A most formidable barrier has been suffered to remain, which has rendered our skill abortive, even after we have removed the lameness and quelled all inflammation within the joint; for just here, too often, our exertions have ceased, having only subdued, though not crushed the enemy; that is, we have quieted the inflamed parts, but actually left them in the same state of dangerous encroachment on each other as had before proved the predisposing cause of lameness: viz., the unnatural elevation of the navicular bone and heels of the coffin bone; therefore, a less assemblage of concurring circumstances than before will be sufficient to establish another attack of lameness, and much less of the immediate or exciting cause after each succeeding attack. But, to speak more plainly, if one bustling trot over the stones from this place to Mile-End would not effect it, a very few journeys of that sort, in quick succession, would almost ensure it.

Nevertheless, these elevated coffin and navicular bones are not to be replaced in the first instance by any compulsory measures whatever; but the treatment should commence with the soothing system, viz., the abatement of inflammation, by abstracting

blood from the

the heart sym

blood locally, until the system is affected generally. Six quarts of blood to be drawn at one operation Abstraction of from an artery encircling the lower edge and toe of lame foot until the coffin bone, the hoof having been prepared as pathizes. follows:-The sole to be pared till small specks of blood begin to appear at every part; the bars to be entirely removed; and those channels or commissures between the bars and the frog to be excavated with a narrow drawing-knife to the quick, from end to end; the projecting part of the crust, which forms the ground surface, to be somewhat levelled with the rasp from toe to heels; but the shortening of the toe and lowering of the heels to be deferred till another stage of the treatment.

With the next process which I have to recommend, I am apprehensive many practitioners may, at the first view, be somewhat startled; but I pledge my professional credit on the safety of the practice.

inside quarter

It consists in the entire removal of crust or wall at the inside heel, and of the bar adjoining, with rasp and drawing-knife, as near to the laminæ as possible, without drawing blood, and extending this excision along the quarter, according to the urgency Excision of the of the case, and the period of time allotted by the of the crust. owner for treatment and rest, thereby leaving the inside quarter isolated from the other parts of the hoof. The direct object in view for sacrificing a portion of hoof so slow of growth being to unfetter the inside heel of the coffin bone by taking off lateral

Laxative medicine.

pressure from the wing of that bone; but, after all, it must be admitted, that it is only the removal of an offending body; and I am urged to do this, not merely because I know it will grow again, but because I also know it will be my own fault if it be not reproduced in such an expanded direction as mainly to contribute towards the cure.

However, I generally find it prudent not to penetrate into the quarter more than about half an inch anterior to the heel of the coffin bone, terminating the scalp abruptly, which extends from the upper part to the basis of the crust in a straight line, preserving all the other parts of the quarter in nearly their natural substance; but this extensive sacrifice of crust may be quite uncalled for in many of the recent cases of lameness.

A bar shoe bearing on the outside quarter, and slightly on the frog, is now to be fitted to the foot upon the unfettered or side-nail plan; but previous to its application the artery at the inside toe to be opened, and the blood drawn as described; the shoe to be then applied, and the foot and coronet immersed in some cold etnollient paste.

Half a dose of purging physic should be given, and the horse turned loose into a large box, without exercise; his diet the same as in physic; the emollient paste to be applied the next day, lukewarm, and repeated daily.

About the fourth or fifth day he may be walked