Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1882-12-28
Corns on Horses Feet.


mon among horses than any other
affection OF the feet. and moreover is a
very frequent cause of serious and an
moving lameness. Unlike the horny
excrescence which int1icts the human
foot. and which is superficial and al
ways due to external pressure, it is
often deep seated and involves impor-
tan; tissues In order to understand
the cause, as well as the proper treat
ment of this disease. we must first know
something of the structures in which it
is found. The foot of the horse is
horny box. containing within its walls
bones. ligaments, cartilages, tendons.
blood vessels. nerves and absorbents,
all wonderfully arranged and adapted
to the ends. in view-Or commencing
with the bones, the principal one OF
which is known as the coffin bone or
bone of the foot. and which in shape
exactly corresponds to that OF the hoof
as whole. we MAJ say that this is
covered with stocking made OF most
delicate and sensitive tissue. in which
ramifv innumerable blood vessels and
nerves. and which constitutes what is
known as the sensitive lamine, sole and
frog. This stocking in turn is protected
by the external horny hoOf which
serves rs boot or shoe.
The use of this stocking Of highly or
saiIized tissue is TO supply the horn.
and to afford nourishment by its blood
vessels to all parts of the foot, and by
its nerves TO endow them with an acute
sense of touch. All parts of the horny
10 haaf In rnIar Irtesrapf
names, such rs the wall. the bars, the
sole and frog. although apparently I'M
like in structure. are compounded OF the
same ingredients differently composed
and differently arranged. Thus the
sole thrown out from the sensitive sole,
or that portion OF the vascular stocking
which covers the lower surface of the
bone of the foot, although in its tbrous
structure similar to the wall, has the Pc
culiari,y of throwing off any excess of
growth BY the process OF Taking or eX
foliation. The wall on the contrary. if
protected by a shoe. as is most fire.
queatly the case in the civilized condi-
ton OF the animal, must be removed by
artificial means at the time of reSetting
the shoe. rs the growth of the horn is
downward, and TO an indefinite extent
Now this natural taking of the horny
sole does away with the necessity of its
removal by the farrier. consequently il
should never be touched by the knife if
IN its normal condition.
Ii there is any maxim which has truth
10 support il. if is that the sole. bars
and frog should never undergo the
slightest mutilation at the time OF shoe
ing or at any other time-when the t:s-
sues are healthy. What amount of
equine suffering would be spared ii this
81 uple rule could be observed. and
what a vast amount of work on the
part of the lahoring blacksmith if taken
in the aggregate throughout this coun-
try. could be saved. Consiter for a
moment the course usually pursued by
the farrier in regard to the treatment
OF this important part of the foot. Hav-
ing cut down by knife or reduced BY
rasp the outer crust of the hoof, he pro-
ceeds to pare the sole often to the eX-
tent, advocated by the ignorant. that il
springs to the pressure OF the thumb
and Tor what object may il be asked.
Solely because the foot is thought to
look better. or that il is neceSs ty.
No salts actory reason can be given Tor
this barbarons proct eding and nothing
but custom sanctions il. The animal
with his feet thus mutila,ed may
travel on smooth surface vi h
partial impunity. but let the foot
come in contact with stone,
which maY wound the parts thus eN-
posed, and he is ms antlv in SUI ering
as evinccd by sudden lameness More
over. the deeper seated portions OF the
horny sole having thus been uncovered
and exposed to external agencies for
which they are not fitted, become much
changed in their nature. Instead of