Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Puncture

PUNCTURE, in farriery, a species of wound to which the feet of horses are much exposed; and which has received this name from the minuteness of the orifice; the injured parts closing up easily, so that it becomes difficult to ascertain the real depth of the wound.

Punctures are generally occasioned by the animals treading on sharp stones, broken glass, or other pointed substances, and not unfrequently from nails, when applied by clumsy farriers; in consequence of which, the sole or frog is perforated; the interior parts of the feet are wounded, and become highly inflamed.—If timely detected, punctures may be easily cured, by opening a passage, for the discharge of the collected matter; after which, it will be proper to keep the foot moist by the application of emollient poultices round the hoof. Should, however, any fragments of glass, nails, &c. remain in the wound, the inflammation will increase, and at length the tumor will suppurate. The matter then accumulates; and, from the natural shape of the hoof, finding no outlet downwards, it ascends up to the coronet, where it forms a round tumor, that afterwards breaks out into a malignant ulcer called a Quittor-bone; under which article we propose to state the most appropriate remedies to he adopted in such cases.