186 MANUAL OF MODERX FARRIERY. 



work the horse, then it should be taken out every morning 

 and a new one applied after the labour of the day. Should 

 the frog be much exposed, besides the pledget which is to 

 be put into the crack, a larger piece of tow should be spread 

 over with the above liniment, and applied over the wliole 

 exposed surface. Care must be taken not to force the 

 pledget too hard into the cleft to press upon the tender 

 part below, and during the treatment recommended it will 

 be proper to keep the frog moist. This will be best effected 

 by filling the cavity of the under surface of the foot with 

 tow, covered by common stopping, or by placing on a felt 

 pad, covered by the same material. 



In cases of thrush the feet should be kept dry ; and, 

 contrary to the practice of some, who recommend turning 

 out to grass with this complaint, we prefer keeping the 

 animal in the stable until a cure is effected. 



OSSIFICATION OF THE CARTILAGES. 



These cartilages occupy a considerable portion of the 

 back part and side of the foot, as represented on plate vii., 

 fig. 7, h. Their use is to preserve the expansion of the 

 upper portion of the foot ; they also sustain those parts 

 when they are either limited or destroyed by shoeing. They 

 are liable to inflammatory attacks, which induce absorption 

 in them, and bon} matter is exuded in their stead. This 

 ossified condition of the cartilages is frequently connected 

 with ring-bone, but it often exists without any affection of 

 the pastern-joint. Horses that are subjected to heavy 

 draughts are most liable to this complaint, which no doubt 

 originates in a sprain rather than concussion. But the 

 real cause is not well understood, although many are 

 the instances of draught-horses being affected with tliis 

 complaint. 



