NAVEL-GALL
—is an injury sustained upon the centrical part of the back-bone, corresponding with that part below, from whence it originally derived its present denomination. It is always occasioned by the pad of the SADDLE being in itself too wide, (and deficient in stuffing,) letting the iron-work of the tree come into contact with the SPINE; or from the long and constant use of a roller in the stable, till having lost the elasticity of its stuffing, it then becomes sufficiently hard, particularly with too tight buckling, to occasion the injury, which is often productive of much trouble, long vexation, and tedious disappointment. It is a disgrace to the rational part of the world, that cases should occur from neglect, indolence, or inattention, which may, with no more than just and necessary caution, be so easily prevented. A navel-gall, in the first instance, if immediately attended to upon the earliest discovery, (if that be so soon as the injury is sustained, or in its recent state of inflammation,) will mostly submit to mild astringent repellents, repeated at short intervals; and the contents of the inflammatory tumefaction will be absorbed into the circulation. But "as it is the curse of fools to be secure," so an impatient repetition of the cause occasions a constantly increasing addition to the injury, till the renewed HEAT and FRICTION upon the part constitute an eschar, or leather-like substance, upon the surface, which being separated, or coming spontaneously away, displays a foul, if not an INVETERATE ulcer, and requires no small share of Veterinary skill to insure a successful termination.