If, as happens in exceptional cases, the plantar aponeurosis is found to be severely injured, the complete operation for picked-up nail, as practised in the horse, may be performed, or the claw may be amputated. In the former operation the horn covering the sole is first thinned “to the blood.” The stages of operation are as follows:— (1.) Ablation of the anterior portion of the plantar cushion. Transverse vertical incision at a distance of 1¼ inches in front of the heel; excision of the anterior flap. (2.) Transverse incision and ablation of the plantar aponeurosis by the same method. (3.) Curettage of the point of implantation of the aponeurosis into the bone. (4.) Antiseptic dressing of the claw. Finally, if the primary lesion, wherever it may have started, has become complicated by arthritis of the inter-phalangeal joint, it will be necessary to remove the claw, or, better still, to remove the two last phalanges, the latter operation being easier than the former, and providing flaps of more regular shape and better adapted for the production of a satisfactory stump. INFLAMMATION OF THE INTERDIGITAL SPACE. (CONDYLOMATA.) Condylomata result from chronic inflammation of the skin covering the interdigital ligament. Any injury to this region causing even superficial damage may result in chronic inflammation of the skin and hypertrophy of the papillæ, the first stage in the production of condylomata. Injuries produced by cords slipped into the interdigital space for the purpose of lifting the feet when shoeing working oxen are also fruitful causes. Inflammation of the interdigital space is also a common complication of aphthous eruptions around the claws and in the space between them. Continual contact with litter, dung and urine favour infection of superficial or deep wounds, and by causing exuberant granulation lead to hypertrophy of the papillary layer of the skin. When the animal stands on the foot the claws separate under the pressure of the body weight and the condylomata are relieved of pressure. When, however, the limbs are rested, the claws mutually approach, compress the abnormal vegetations, flatten, excoriate, and irritate them, thus favouring their further development. [Illustration: $1] The symptoms are easy to detect. The animals appear in perfect health, but have difficulty in walking, and show pain. They walk as though on sharp, rough ground, and lameness is sometimes severe. Locally, the anterior surface of the claws and the interdigital space are markedly congested and sensitive, or painful on pressure. The growths are of varying size, isolated or confluent, bleeding, excoriated, or covered with horn, and are visible between the claws when the animal stands on the limb. In many cases they form a perfect cast of the vertical interspace. When the superficial layers have undergone conversion into a horn-like material, lameness diminishes or disappears. =Diagnosis= presents no difficulty.