With these prefatory remarks, we may advise bleeding under certain conditions.  The quantity removed must be moderate (7 to 8 pints), and the pulse and other conditions must show no signs of weakness or collapse.

Local bleeding, either from the toe or the coronet, is also advised.  In the former situation the sole is thinned down until a sufficient flow is obtained, while at the coronet scarification is the method adopted.  Bleeding locally, however, is far less effectual than the jugular operation.  Neither must it be forgotten that wounds in these situations, more particularly at the toe, are extremely liable, especially with the existing poisoned state of the blood-current, to take on a septic character.  What might possibly have remained a comparatively simple inflammation is induced by the operation itself to terminate in the more complicated and serious condition of suppuration.

Other means of combating the congested state of the membrane are principally those of local applications.  With many veterinary surgeons warm poulticing is still largely advocated and practised.  We do not believe in it.  Warmth, as a means of removing local congestion, can only be successful when applied widely round the congested area, and so dilating surrounding bloodvessels and lymphatics.  Applied to the congested area itself, and to that alone, it is almost worse than useless.

With the foot, both around and below it, a surrounding area is denied us.  The only vessels we are able to dilate with the warmth, and so enable them to carry off the fluid from the congested foot, are those in the limb above.  That poulticing cannot be successfully there applied is self-evident.  Apart from that, it is an open question whether poultices may not do actual harm in inducing suppuration in cases where, probably, it would not otherwise occur.

For these reasons we hold to the opinion that when a local application is determined on it should be a cold one.  Various methods of applying cold are in vogue.  Cold swabs are perhaps most in favour.  They must, however, be kept cold.  When a suitable water-course, pond, or other expanse of shallow water is at hand, then the animal may be kept standing therein, or preferably walked about in it.  When suitable apparatus is obtainable, a constant stream over each foot from a rubber hosepipe is most beneficial.

Astringent baths, containing solutions of alum, of copper sulphate, of iron sulphate, or of common salt, or composed of a mixture of two or more of the salts mentioned, may also be used with advantage.  In addition to the fact that such solutions are for a time below the temperature of simple water, we have the advantage that they have also a more or less antiseptic property.

While on the subject of the relief of the congestion, we must not forget to mention a treatment which we ourselves have practised with considerable success—­namely, that of forced exercise.  It appears to have been first brought into prominence by Mr. Broad, of Bath, and the two terms ’Forced Exercise and Rocker Shoes’ and ‘Broad’s Treatment’ have come to be synonymous.