any more are not so
injured. It is not, by any means, always carelessness or ignorance on
the part of the smith that is to account for this accident. Bad and
careless shoers we do meet with, but let us be honest and say that the
rarity of these accidents points rather to the general care and
attention given by these much-abused mechanics.

From the construction of the horse's foot (being incased in an
impermeable, horny box), and from the elasticity of the horn closing the
orifice, punctured wounds of the feet are almost always productive of
lameness. Inflammation results, and as there is no relief afforded by
swelling and no escape for the product of inflammation, this matter must
and does burrow between the sole or wall and the sensitive parts within
it until it generally opens "between hair and hoof." We can thus see why
pain is so much more severe, why tetanus (lockjaw) more frequently
follows wounds of the feet, and why, from the extensive, or at times
complete, separation and "casting" of the hoof, these wounds must always
be regarded with grave apprehension.

_Symptoms and treatment._--A practice which, if never deviated
from--that of picking up each foot, cleaning the sole, and thoroughly
examining the foot each and every time the horse comes into the
stable--will enable us to reduce to the minimum the serious consequences
of punctured wounds of the feet. If the wound has resulted from
pricking, lameness follows soon after shoeing; if from the nails being
driven too close, it usually appears from four to five days or a week
afterwards. We should always inquire as to the time of shoeing, examine
the shoe carefully, and see whether it has been partially pulled and the
horse has stepped back upon some of the nails or the clip. The pain from
these wounds is lancinating; the horse is seen to raise and lower the
limb or hold it from the ground altogether; often he points the foot,
flexes the leg, and knuckles at the fetlock. Swelling of the fetlock
and back tendons is also frequently seen and is liable to mislead us.
The foot must be carefully examined, and this can not be properly done
without removing the shoe. The nails should be drawn separately and
carefully examined. If there is no escape of pus from the nail holes, or
if the nails themselves are not moist, we must continue our examination
of the foot by carefully pinching or tapping it at all parts. With a
little practice we can detect the spot where pain is t