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Diseases of the Horse\'s Foot by Harry Caulton Reeks

H >> Harry Caulton Reeks >> Diseases of the Horse\'s Foot



DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT

By
H. CAULTON REEKS

Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Author of 'The Common Colics of the Horse'



1906


To
J. MacQueen, F.R.C.V.S.,

Professor of Surgery at the Royal Veterinary College, London, as a slight
acknowledgment of his ability as a teacher, and in return for many kindly
services, this volume is gratefully inscribed by

THE AUTHOR.


PREFACE


Stimulated by the reception accorded my 'Common Colics of the Horse,' both
in this country and in America, and assured by my publishers that a work on
diseases of the foot was needed, I have been led to give to the veterinary
profession the present volume.

While keeping the size of the book within reasonable limits, no effort
has been spared to render it as complete as possible. This has only been
achieved by adding to my own experience a great deal of the work of others.
To mention individually those who have given me permission to use their
writings would be too long a matter here. In every case, however, where the
quotation is of any length, the source of my information is given, either
in the text or in an accompanying footnote. A few there are who will,
perhaps, find themselves quoted without my having first obtained their
permission to do so. They, with the others, will, I am sure, accept my
hearty thanks.

The publishers have been generous in the matter of illustrations and
diagrams, and although to the older practitioner some of these may appear
superfluous, it is hoped they will serve to render the work an acceptable
textbook for the student.

H. CAULTON REEKS.

SPALDING, _January, 1906_.


CONTENTS


CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION


CHAPTER II

REGIONAL ANATOMY

A. The Bones
B. The Ligaments
C. The Tendons
D. The Arteries
E. The Veins
F. The Nerves
G. The Complementary Apparatus of the Os Pedis
H. The Keratogenous Membrane
I. The Hoof


CHAPTER III

GENERAL PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL OBSERVATIONS

A. Development of the Hoof
B. Chemical Properties and Histology of Horn
C. Expansion and Contraction of the Hoof
D. The Functions of the Lateral Cartilages
E. Growth of the Hoof


CHAPTER IV

METHOD OF EXAMINING THE FOOT


CHAPTER V

GENERAL REMARKS ON OPERATIONS ON THE FOOT

A. Methods of Restraint
B. Instruments required
C. The Application of Dressings
D. Plantar Neurectomy
History of the Operation
Preparation of the Subject
The Operation
After-treatment
E. Median Neurectomy
F. Length of Rest after Neurectomy
G. Sequelae of Neurectomy
Liability of Pricked Foot going undetected
Loss of Tone in the Non-sensitive Area
Gelatinous Degeneration
Chronic Oedema of the Leg
Persistent Pruritus
Fracture of the Bones
Neuroma
Reunion of the Divided Nerve
The Existence of an Adventitious Nerve-supply
Stumbling
H. Advantages of the Operation
I. The Use of the Horse that has undergone Neurectomy


CHAPTER VI

FAULTY CONFORMATION

A. Weak Heels
B. Contracted Foot
(_a_) Contracted Heels
(_b_) Local or Coronary Contraction
C. Flat-foot
D. Pumiced-foot, Dropped Sole, or Convex Sole
E. 'Ringed' or 'Ribbed' Hoof
F. The Hoof with Bad Horn
(_a_) The Brittle Hoof
(_b_) The Spongy Hoof
G. Club-Foot
H. The Crooked Foot
(_a_) The Foot with Unequal Sides
(_b_) The Curved Hoof


CHAPTER VII

DISEASES ARISING FROM FAULTY CONFORMATION

A. Sand-crack
Definition
Classification
Causes
Complications
Treatment
Surgical Shoeing for Sand-crack

B. Corns
Definition
Classification
Causes
Pathological Anatomy and Histology
Treatment
Surgical Shoeing for Corn

C. Chronic Bruised Sole


CHAPTER VIII

WOUNDS OF THE KERATOGENOUS MEMBRANE

A. Nail-bound
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment

B. Punctured Foot
Definition
Causes
Common Situations of the Wound
Classification
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Complications
Prognosis
Treatment

C. Coronitis (Simple)

1. Acute
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Complications
Prognosis
Treatment

2. Chronic
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment

D. False Quarter
Definition
Causes
Treatment

E. Accidental Tearing off of the Entire Hoof


CHAPTER IX

INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS OF THE KERATOGENOUS APPARATUS

A. ACUTE
Acute Laminitis
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Pathological Anatomy
Complications
Diagnosis and Prognosis
Treatment
Broad's Treatment for Laminitis
Smith's Operation for Laminitis

B. CHRONIC

1. Chronic Laminitis
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Pathological Anatomy
Treatment

2. Seedy-Toe
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment

3. Keraphyllocele
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment

4. Keratoma

5. Thrush
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment

6. Canker
Definition
Causes, Predisposing and Exciting
Symptoms and Pathological Anatomy
Differential Diagnosis and Prognosis
Treatment
Malcolm's, Lieutenant Rose's, Bermbach's, Hoffmann's
and Imminger's Treatment for Canker

7. Specific Coronitis
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment


CHAPTER X

DISEASES OF THE LATERAL CARTILAGES

A. Wounds of the Cartilages

B. Quittor
Definition
Classification

1. Simple or Cutaneous Quittor
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Pathological Anatomy
Prognosis
Complications
Treatment, Preventive and Curative

2. Sub-horny Quittor
Definition
Causes
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Complications
Necrosis of the Lateral Cartilage
Pathological Anatomy of the Diseased Cartilage
Necrosis of Tendon and of Ligament
Ossification of the Cartilage
Treatment
Operations for Extirpation of the Cartilage

C. Ossification of the Lateral Cartilages (Side-bones)
Definition
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Causes
Treatment
Smith's Operation for Ossification of the Lateral Cartilages


CHAPTER XI

DISEASES OF THE BONES

A. Periostitis and Ostitis
1. Periostitis
(_a_) Simple Acute Periostitis
(_b_) Suppurative Periostitis
(_c_) Osteoplastic Periostitis

2. Ostitis
(_a_) Rarefying Ostitis
(_b_) Osteoplastic Ostitis
(_c_) Caries and Necrosis

Treatment of Periostitis

Recorded Cases of Periostitis

B. Pyramidal Disease, Buttress Foot, or Low Ringbone
Definition
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Pathological Anatomy
Treatment
Recorded Cases of Buttress Foot

C. Fractures of the Bones
1. Fractures of the Os Coronae
Recorded Cases of Fractures of the Os Coronae

2. Fractures of the Os Pedis
Recorded Cases of Fractures of the Os Pedis

3. Fractures of the Navicular Bone
Recorded Case of Fracture of the Navicular Bone

Treatment of Fractures of the Bones of the Foot


CHAPTER XII

DISEASES OF THE JOINTS

A. Synovitis
(_a_) Simple
(1) Acute
(2) Chronic
(_b_) Purulent or Suppurative
B. Arthritis
(_a_) Simple or Serous
(_b_) Acute
(_c_) Purulent or Suppurative
(_d_) Anchylosis

C. Navicular Disease
Definition
History
Pathology
Changes in the Bursa
Changes in the Cartilage
Changes in the Tendon
Changes in the Bone
Causes
Heredity
Compression
Concussion
A Weak Navicular Bone
An Irregular Blood-supply to the Bone
Senile Decay
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
Prognosis
Treatment

D. Dislocations

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

1. The Bones of the Phalanx
2. The Os Coronae (Anterior View)
3. The Os Coronae (Posterior View)
4. The Os Pedis (Postero-lateral View)
5. The Os Pedis (viewed from Below)
6. The Navicular Bone (viewed from Below)
7. The Navicular Bone (viewed from Above)
8. Ligaments of the First and Second Interphalangeal Articulations
(Lateral View). (_After Dollar and Wheatley_)
9. Ligaments of the First and Second Interphalangeal Articulations
(viewed from Behind). (_After Dollar and Wheatley_)
10. The Flexor Tendons and the Extensor Pedis. (_After
Hauebner_)
11. The Flexor Perforans and Perforatus
12. The Flexor Perforans and Perforatus (the Perforans cut through and
deflected)
13. Median Section of Normal Foot
14. The Arteries of the Foot
15. The Veins and Nerves of the Foot
16. The Lateral Cartilage
17. The Keratogenous Membrane (viewed from the Side)
18. The Keratogenous Membrane (viewed from Below)
19. The Wall of the Hoof
20. Internal Features of the Hoof
21. Inferior Aspect of the Hoof
22. Hoof with the Sensitive Structures removed
23. Section of Epidermis
24. Section of Skin with Hair Follicle and Hair
25. Section of Human Nail and Nail-bed
26. Section of Foot of Equine Foetus. (_Mettam_)
27. Section from Foot of Sheep Embryo. (_Mettam_)
28. Section from Foot of Calf Embryo. (_Mettam_)
29. Section from Foot of Equine Foetus. (_Mettam_)
30. Section through Hoof and Soft Tissues of a Foal at Term. (_Mettam_)
31. Perpendicular Section of Horn of Wall
32. Horizontal Section of Horn of Wall
33. Horizontal Section through the Junction of the Wall with the Sole
34. Section of Frog. (_Mettam_)
35. Professor Lungwitz's Apparatus for Examining the Foot Movements
36. Professor Lungwitz's Apparatus for Examining the Foot Movements
37. The Movements of the Solar and Coronary Edges of the Hoof illustrated.
(_Lungwitz_)
38. The Blind
39. The Side-line
40. Method of securing the Hind-foot with the Side-line
41. The Hind-foot secured with the Side-line
42. The Casting Hobbles
43. Method of securing the Hind-leg upon the Fore
44. The Hind-leg secured upon the Fore
45. The Drawing-knife (Ordinary Pattern)
46. Modern Forms of Drawing-knives
47. Symes's Knife
48-51. Illustrating Colonel Nunn's Method of applying a Poultice to the
Foot
52. Poultice-boot of Canvas and Steel
53. Poultice-boot of Cocoa-fibre
54. Foot-swab
55. The Shoe with Plates
56. Quittor Syringe
57. The Esmarch Bandage and Tourniquet
58. Tourniquet with Wooden Block
59. Neurectomy Bistoury
60. Neurectomy Needle
61. Double Neurectomy Tenaculum
62. Adventitious Nerve-supply to Foot. (_Sessions_)
63. Tip Shoe
64. The Tip Shoe 'let in' to the Foot
65. The Thinned Tip
66. Drawing-knife for Charlier Shoeing
67. The Foot prepared for the Charlier Shoe
68. Bar Shoe
69. Rubber Bar Pad on Leather
70. The Bar Pad applied with a Half-shoe
71. Frog Pad
72. Frog Pad applied
73. Smith's Expansion Shoe for Contracted Feet
74. A Contracted Foot treated with Smith's Shoe
75. De Fay's Vice
76. Hartmann's Expanding Shoe
77. Broue's Slipper Shoe. (_Gutenacker_)
78. Einsiedel's Slipper and Bar-clip Shoe. (_Gutenacker_)
79. Hoof showing Coronary Contraction. (_Gutenacker_)
80. Flat-foot (Solar Surface). (_Gutenacker_)
81. Hoof showing Laminitis Rings on the Wall. _(Gutenacker)_
82. Hoof showing 'Grass' Rings on the Wall. (_Gutenacker_)
83. Club-foot. (_Gutenacker_)
84. Shoe with extended Toe-piece. (_Gutenacker_)
85. A Crooked Foot in Cross-section. (_Gutenacker_)
86. Sand-crack Firing-iron
87. Sand-crack Forceps and Clamp. (_Vachette's_)
88. McGill's Sand-crack Clamp
89. Koster's Sand-crack Clamp
90. Sand-crack Belt
91. Method of 'Easing' the Bearing of the Wall on the Shoe in the Treatment
of Sand-crack
92. Method of 'Easing' the Bearing of the Wall on the Shoe in the Treatment
of Sand-crack
93. Method of 'Easing' the Bearing of the Wall on the Shoe in the Treatment
of Sand-crack
94 96. Grooving the Wall in the Treatment of Sand-crack
97. Removing the Wall in the Treatment of Sand-crack
98. Removing the Wall in the Treatment of Sand-crack
99. Horizontal Section of Corn. (_Gutenacker_)
100. Inner Surface of the Wall, showing Changes in Chronic Corn.
(_Gutenacker_)
101. Perpendicular Section of the Wall in a Case of Chronic Corn.
(_Gutenacker_)
102. Three-quarter Shoe
103. Three-quarter Bar Shoe
104. Shoe with a 'Dropped' Heel
105. Shoe with a 'Set' Heel
106. Curette, or Volkmann's Spoon
107. Resection of the Terminal Portion of the Perforans Tendon
(_Gutenacker_)
108. Shoe with extended Toe-piece. (_Colonel Nunn_)
109. Mesian Section of Foot with Lesions following Coronitis.
(_Gutenacker_)
110. Toe of Ordinary Hind-shoe
111. Toe of Hind-shoe Bevelled for the Prevention of Overreach
112. Hoof showing Lesion in the Wall following Coronitis.
(_Gutenacker_)
113. Foot with Lesions of Chronic Coronitis. (_Gutenacker_)
114. Hoof Accidentally Tom from Foot. (_Cartledge_)
115. Hoof Accidentally Tom from Foot. (_Rogerson_)
116. Section of Foot with Laminitis of Eight Days' Duration.
(_Gutenacker_)
117. Section of Foot with Laminitis of Fourteen Days' Duration.
(_Gutenacker_)
118. Chronic Ostitis of the Os Pedis in Laminitis.
119. Broad's Rocker Bar Shoe for Laminitis.
120. The Foot showing Grooves made in the Wall for Treatment of Laminitis
(Anterior Surface).
121. The Foot showing Grooves made for the Treatment of Laminitis (Solar
Surface).
122. Foot with Chronic Laminitis. (_Gutenacker_)
123. Inferior Aspect of Foot with Chronic Laminitis. (_Gutenacker_)
124. Section of Foot with Laminitis of Three Weeks' Duration.
(_Gutenacker_)
125. Section of Foot with Laminitis of Several Years' Duration.
(_Gutenacker_)
126. Diagram showing Position of the Abnormal Growth of Horn in Chronic
Laminitis.
127. Diagram showing the same Abnormal Growth of Horn Removed prior to
Shoeing.
128. Shoe with Heel-clip.
129. Internal Seedy-Toe.
130. External Seedy-Toe. (_Colonel Nunn_)
131. External Seedy-Toe. (_Colonel Nunn_)
132. A Keraphyllocele on the Inner Surface of the Horn of the Wall at the
Toe. (_Gutenacker_)
133. Os Pedis showing Absorption of Bone caused by the Pressure of a
Keraphyllocele. (_Gutenacker_)
134. Foot with Canker of the Frog and Heels. (_Gutenacker_)
135. Foot with Canker extending to the Wall. (_Malcolm_)
136. Foot with Advanced Canker. (_Gutenacker_)
137. Feet affected with Specific Coronitis. (_Taylor_)
138. Fore-foot with Specific Coronitis. (_Taylor_)
139. Excision of the Lateral Cartilage (Old Method). (_Gutenacker_)
140. Excision of the Lateral Cartilage. (_After Moller and Frick_).
(_Gutenacker_)
141. Excision of the Lateral Cartilage. (_After Bayer_.)
(_Gutenacker_)
142. Partial Excision of the Lateral Cartilage
143. Ossified Lateral Cartilages, or Side-bones.
144. Smith's Side-bone Saw (Old Pattern).
145. Smith's Side-bone Saw (Improved Pattern).
146. Smith's Hoof Plane.
147. Hodder's Hoof Chisel.
148. Foot showing the Grooves made in Smith's Operation for Side-bones
(viewed from the Side).
149. Foot showing the Grooves made in Smith's Operation for Side-bones
(viewed from Below).
150. Periostitis involving the Pedal and Navicular Bones. (_Litt_)
151. Periostitis involving the Pedal and Navicular Bones. (_Litt_)
152. Effects of Periostitis on the Os Pedis. (_Smith_)
153. Effects of Periostitis on the Os Pedis. (_Smith_)
154. Effects of Periostitis on the Os Pedis. (_Jones_)
155. Effects of Periostitis on the Os Pedis. (_Jones_)
156. Case of Buttress Foot. (_Routledge_)
157. Foot showing Fracture of the Pyramidal Process in a Case of Buttress
Foot. (_Routledge_)
158. Fracture of the Os Coronae. (_Crawford_)
159. Fracture of the Os Coronae. (_Crawford_)
160. Fractured Os Pedis. (_Freeman_)
161. Navicular Bone showing Lesions of Navicular Disease.
(_Gutenacker_)
162. Foot with the Seat of Navicular Disease exposed (showing Lesions).
(_Gutenacker_)
163. Navicular Bone showing Lesions of Navicular Disease (a Case of
Long-standing). (_Gutenacker_)
164. Frog Seton Needle.
165. Diagram showing Course of the Needle in Setoning the Frog.



DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT



CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION


The importance of that branch of veterinary surgery dealing with diseases
of the horse's foot can hardly be overestimated. That the animal's
usefulness is dependent upon his possession of four good feet is a fact
that has long been recognised. Who, indeed, is there to be found entirely
unacquainted with one or other of such well-known aphorisms as: 'Whoever
hath charge of a horse's foot has the care of his whole body'; 'As well a
horse with no head as a horse with no foot'; or the perhaps better known,
and certainly more epigrammatic, 'No foot, no horse.'

Without taking these sayings literally, it will be admitted by almost
everyone that they contain a vast amount of actual truth. This allowed, it
at once becomes clear that a ready understanding of the diseases to which
the foot is liable, the means of holding them in check, and the correct
methods of treating them should figure largely in the knowledge at the
command of the veterinary surgeon.

In the very great majority of instances the horse's ability to perform
labour is the one thing that justifies his existence, and to that end the
presence of four good, sound feet is an almost indispensable qualification.
And yet how many circumstances do we see tending to militate against that
one essential.

Even in colthood the foot, if neglected, may become a source of trouble.
Unless periodically examined and properly trimmed, its shape is liable to
serious alteration. From that in which it is best calculated to withstand
the effects of the wear it will be called upon to endure in after life, it
may become so changed for the worse as to seriously affect the animal's
value.

In the matter of feeding, too, trouble is likely to ensue. Particularly is
this the case where the colt shows points of exceptional merit. He is 'got
up' for show, and the feet are likely to fall victims to the mismanagement
that frequent exhibition so often carries with it. An extra allowance of
peas, beans, wheat, or other equally injurious food is given. The result is
a severe attack of laminitis, and an otherwise valuable and promising colt
is permanently ruined.

Exposed as it is, too, to injury, the foot of a young horse, even at grass,
is frequently the seat of injuries from picked up nails, stakes, or other
agents which, unless detected and carefully treated, may terminate in a
troublesome case of quittor and incurable lameness.

With the passing of colthood, and the coming into effect of the evils of
further domestication, the troubles to which the foot is open become more
numerous. Foremost among them will come those having their starting-point
in errors of practice originating in the forge; for, in spite of attempts
at their education, smiths, as a class, are as yet grievously unversed in
even the elementary knowledge of the delicate construction of the member
that is entrusted to their care.

This fact has been dilated on in books devoted to shoeing, and in the
prefatory note to the last edition of Fleming's manual on this subject we
find the following statement: 'The records of all humane societies show
that, of prosecutions for cruelty to animals, an overwhelming majority
refer to the horse; and of these, a large proportion are for working horses
while suffering from lameness in one form or other.

'So frequent are such cases that observers have concluded that their
prevalence must result from some specific cause, and, not unnaturally,
attention has thus been directed to the various modes of management
practised in relation to the horse's foot, to the manner of shoeing, and,
in particular, to the way in which the foot is prepared for the shoe.'

It must be remembered, however, that although harm in the forge may
frequently arise from culpable roughness or carelessness, such is not
necessarily always the case, and that quite as much injury may result from
careful and conscientious workmanship when it is unfortunate enough to be
based upon principles wrong in themselves to commence with.

It so happens, too, that shoeing, in itself a necessary evil, may be
responsible for injuries in the causation of which the smith can have
played no part. Take, for example, the ill effects following upon the
animal's attendant allowing him to carry his shoes for too long a time.
In this case the natural growth of the horn carries the heel of the shoe
further beneath the foot than is safe for a correct bearing; in fact,
anterior to the point of inflection of the wall. The shoe, at the same
time, is greatly thinned from excessive wear. Result, a sharp and
easily-bended piece of iron situate immediately under the seat of corn.
Pressure or actual cutting of the sole is bound to occur, and the animal is
lamed.

Again, apart from the question of negligence or otherwise on the part of
the smith or the animal's attendant, it must be remembered that the nailing
on to the foot of a plate of iron is not giving to the animal an easier
means of progression. The reverse is the case. In place of the sucker-like
face of the natural horn is substituted a smooth, and, with wear,
highly-polished surface. Slipping and sliding attempts to gain a foothold
become frequent, and strains of the tendons and ligaments follow in their
wake.

As, however, this treatise is not intended to deal with the art of shoeing,
the reader must be referred to other works for further information. In
addition to Fleming's, there may be mentioned, among others, Hunting's 'Art
of Horse Shoeing,' and the very excellent volume of Messrs. Dollar and
Wheatley on the same subject. Leaving the forge, we may next look to the
nature of the animal's work, and the conditions under which he is kept, for
active causes in the production of disorders of the foot. From the yielding
softness of the pasture he is called to spend the bulk of his time upon the
hard macadamized tracks of our country roads, or the still more hard and
more dangerous asphalt pavings or granite sets of our towns. The former,
with the bruises they will give the sole and frog from loose and scattered
stones, and the latter, with the increased concussion they will entail on
the limb, are active factors in the troubles with which we are about to
deal. Upon these unyielding surfaces the horse is called to carry slowly or
rapidly, as the case may be, not only his own weight, but, in addition, is
asked to labour at the hauling of heavy loads. The effects of concussion
and heavy traction combined are bound primarily to find the feet, and such
diseases as side-bones, ringbones, corns, and sand-cracks commence to make
their appearance.

Again, as opposed to the comparative healthiness of the surroundings when
at grass, consideration must be given to the chemical changes the foot is
frequently subjected to when the animal is housed.

Only too often the bedding the animal has to stand upon for several hours
of the twenty-four can only be fitly described as 'filthy in the extreme.'
The ammoniacal exhalations from these collected body-discharges must, and
do, have a prejudicial effect upon the nature of the horn, and, though slow
in its progress, mischief is bound sooner or later to occur in the shape of
a weakened and discharging frog, with its concomitant of contracted heels.
Lucky it is in such a case if canker does not follow on.

Observers, too, have chronicled the occurrence in horse's feet of disease
resulting from the use of moss litter. Tenderness in the foot is first
noticeable, which tenderness is afterwards followed by a peculiar softening
of the horn of the sole and the frog. What should be a dense, fairly
resilient substance is transformed into a material affording a yielding
sensation to the fingers not unlike that imparted by a soft indiarubber,
and as easily sliced as cheese-rind.

Lastly, though the foot is extremely liable to suffer from the effects
of extreme dryness or excessive humidity, especially with regard to the
changes thus brought about in the nature of the horn, it is perforce
exposed at all times to the varying condition of the roads upon which it
must travel. The intense dryness of summer and the constant damp of winter,
each in their turn take part in the deteriorating influences at work upon
it.

Though this subject might be indefinitely prolonged, this brief resume of
the adverse circumstances to which the foot of the horse is exposed
is sufficient to point out the extreme importance of its study to the
veterinary surgeon. So long as the horse is used as a beast of burden so
long will this branch of veterinary surgery offer a wide and remunerative
field of labour.



CHAPTER II

REGIONAL ANATOMY


Considered from a zoological standpoint, the foot of the horse will include
all those parts from the knee and hock downwards. For the purposes of this
treatise, however, the word foot will be used in its more popular sense,
and will refer solely to those portions of the digit contained within
the hoof. When, in this chapter on regional anatomy, or elsewhere, the
descriptive matter or the illustrations exceed that limit, it will be with
the object of observing the relationship between the parts we are concerned
with and adjoining structures.