HOOF-KOT. 363 



the horn commences. And on, the effectual performance of 

 this, all else depends. 



If the disease is in the first stage i. e., if there is merely 

 an erosion and ulceration of the cuticle and flesh in the cleft 

 above the walls of the hoof, no paring is necessary. But 

 if ulceration has established itself between the hoof and the 

 fleshy sole, the ulcerated parts, be they more or less extensive, 

 must be entirely denuded of their horny covering, cost what it 

 may of time and care. It is better not to wound the sole so 

 as to cause it to bleed freely, as the running blood will wash 

 off" the subsequent applications ; but no fear of wounding the 

 sole must prevent a full compliance with the rule above laid 

 down. At worst, the blood can soon be staunched, however 

 freely it flows, by a few touches of a caustic say butyr of 

 antimony. 



If the foot is in the third stage a mass of rottenness and 

 filled with maggots the maggots should first be killed by 

 spirits of turpentine, or a solution of corrosive sublimate (see 

 page 190) or other equally efficient application. It can be 

 most conveniently used from a bottle having a quill through 

 the cork. By continuing to remove the dead maggots with 

 a stick, and to expose and kill the deeper lodged ones, all can 

 be extirpated. Every particle of loose horn should then be 

 removed, though it take the entire hoof, and it frequently 

 does take the entire hoof at an advanced stage of the disease. 

 The foot should be cleansed if necessary with a solution of 

 chloride of lime, in the proportion of a pound of the chloride 

 to n, gallon of water.* If this is not at hand, plunging the 

 foot repeatedly in water, just shoi't of scalding hot, will 

 answer the purpose. And now comes the important question, 

 what constitutes the best remedy? 



The recipes for its cure are innumerable. One much used 

 in New England at an early day, under the recommendation 

 of " Consul Jarvis," f was compounded as follows : 



1. Roman or blue vitriol, pulverized very fine, three parts, 

 with one part of white lead, mixed into a thin paste with 

 linseed oil. 



2. Another recipe, also much used in New England, is 



* Mr. Youatt recommends this, and says it " will remove the fetor and tendency 

 to sloughing and mortification which are the too frequent attendants on foot-rot." I 

 never yet saw mortification (gangrene) of the foot result from this disease. Mr. 

 Youatt's directions as to treatment are far more satisfactory than are his statements of 

 the causes and symptoms of this malady. 



t The Hon. William Jarvis is universally known under this appellation in New 

 England. 



