THRUSH. 391 



plest treatment, in a majority of cases, is the injection of strong 

 caustic solutions, which destroy the diseased cartilage and cause its 

 discharge, along with the other products of suppuration. In favor- 

 able cases these injections will secure a healing of the wound in 

 from two to three weeks. While the saturated solution of sulphate 

 of coj^per, or a solution of 10 parts of bichloride of mercury to 100 

 parts of water, has given the best results in my hands, equally as 

 favorable success has been secured by others from the use of caustic 

 soda, nitrate of silver, sulphate of zinc, tincture of iodine, etc. But 

 no matter which one of these remedies may be selected, it must be used 

 at least twice a day for a time. The solution is injected into the vari- 

 ous openings with enough force to drive it to the bottom of the 

 wound, after which the foot is to be dressed with a pad of oakum, 

 held in place by a roller bandage tightly applied. While it is not 

 always necessary, it is often of advantage to relieve the pressure on 

 the parts by rasping away the hoof over the seat of the cartilage ; the 

 coronary band and laminae should not be injured in the operation. 



If the caustic injections prove successful, the discharge will become 

 healthy and gradually diminish, so that by the end of the second week 

 the fistulous tracts are closing up, and the injections are made with 

 much difficulty. 



If, on the other hand, there is but little or no improvement after 

 this treatment has been used for three weeks, it may reasonably be 

 concluded that the operation for the removal of the lateral cartilage 

 must be resorted to for the cure of the trouble. As this operation 

 can be safely undertaken only by an expert surgeon, it will not be 

 described in this connection. 



THRUSH. 



Thrush is characterized by an excessive secretion of unhealthy mat- 

 ter from the cleft of the frog. Wliile all classes of horses are liable 

 to this affection, it is more often seen in the common draft horse than 

 in any other breed — a fact due to the conditions of servitude and not 

 to the fault of the breed. Country horses are much less subject to the 

 disease, except in wet, marshy districts, than are the horses used in 

 cities and towns. 



Causes. — The most common cause of thrush is the filthy condition 

 of the stable in which the animal is kept. Mares are more liable to 

 contract the disease in the hind feet when the cause is due to filth, while 

 the gelding and stallion are more likely to develo}) it in the fore feet. 

 Hard work on rough and stony roads may also induce the disease, as 

 may a change from dryness to excessive moisture. The latter cause 

 is often seen to operate in old track horses, whose feet are constantly 

 soaked in the bath tub for the purpose of relieving soreness. Muddy 

 streets and roads, especially where mineral substances are plentiful, 

 excite this abnormal condition of the frog. Contracted heels, 



