soles presents two objections: First, while it may
temporarily relieve the pain by relieving pressure, it favors greater
exudation, which may more than counterbalance the good effects.
Secondly, it makes the feet tender and subject to bruises when the
animal again goes to work. The shoes should be replaced when
convalescence sets in and the animal is ready to take exercise. Exercise
should never be enforced until the inflammation has subsided; for
although it temporarily relieves the pain and soreness it maintains the
irritation, increases the exudation, and postpones recovery.

If at the end of the fifth or sixth day prominent symptoms of recovery
are not apparent, apply a stiff blister of cantharides around the
coronet and omit the niter for about 48 hours. When the blister is well
set, the feet may again receive wet swabs. If one blister does not
remove the soreness it may be repeated, or the actual cautery applied.
The same treatment should be adopted where sidebones form or
inflammation of the coronet bone follows. When the sole breaks through,
exposing the soft tissues, the feet must be carefully shod with thin
heels and thick toes if there is a tendency to walk on the heels, and
the sole must be well protected with appropriate dressings and pressure
over the exposed parts. When there is turning up of the toe, blistering
of the coronet, _in front only_, sometimes stimulates the growth of
horn, but as a rule judicious shoeing is the only treatment that will
enable the animal to do light, slow work.

When suppuration of the laminae is profuse, it is better to destroy your
patient at once and relieve his suffering: but if the suppuration is
limited to a small extent of tissue, especially of the sole, treatment,
as in acute cases, may induce recovery and should always be tried. If
from bed sores or other causes septicemia or pyemia is feared, the
bisulphite of soda, in half-ounce doses, may be given in conjunction
with tonics and such other treatment as is indicated in these diseases.

As to enforced recumbency I doubt the propriety of insisting on it in
the majority of cases, for I think the patient usually assumes whatever
position gives most comfort. No doubt recumbency diminishes the amount
of blood sent to the feet, and may greatly relieve the pain, so that
forcing the patient to lie down may be tried, yet should not be renewed
if he thereafter persists in standing.

When the animal persistently stands, or con