HORSES AXD MULES. 291' 



aiglits. After another fortnight's rest, tlie work may be re- 

 sumed. But if the disease is neglected at first, and ulcers 

 allowed to form, treatment becomes much more difficult and 

 uncertain. The object now is to- form an abscess, and thus an 

 outlet for the ulcerated matter. Apply the liniment to the frog, 

 the bottom and back part of the foot, and also to the heel. Cut 

 out any decayed matter from the bottom of the foot and appl^ 

 the liniment freely. Continue this course until the foot re- 

 covers, whether it be two months or six. If you can produce 

 a discharge of the ulcerated matter a cure is sure. Keep his con- 

 dition good. Give him a dose of sulphur {see Remedies) every 

 other day for a week. If the treatment does not produce an 

 abscess or subdue the lameness, after two or three months, Neu- 

 rotomy is the last resort. The lioofs of the horse, like the nails 

 of man, are a secretion, and are naturally hard and strong ; but 

 when disease is present, in any part of the leg or foot, the secre 

 tion becomes imperfect, and soft hoof, or brittle hoof, is the 

 result. Any disease of the foot leads to others. This shows th»" 

 necessity of instant attention, even to the slightest lameness. 



Cracked Hoop is one of the ailments from a feverish con 

 dition of the feet induced by other diseases. Narrow he 

 causes the front of the hoof to crack. When the hoof is 

 not properly pared in shoeing, the hoof will crack in the 

 quarters. Founder produces brittleness, brittleness produces 

 contraction, and contraction is one cause of cracks. Cracks 

 often extend to the sensitive part of the foot, the flesh grows 

 into them and the pain of stepping on the foot must be intense. 

 AYe advise, first, that the disease which causes faulty hoof be 

 removed, and the crack will heal. In the meantime, if the 

 crack does not extend to the flesh, carefully clean out all sand, 

 dirt, etc., pare down the edges of the crack, and cover it with a 

 bandage, smeared with pitch, so as to prevent any dirt froru 



