OF FARRJERY. 



25! 



that tfirusli is the cause of contraction. In the 

 above case I would strongly recommend the 

 bar-shoe, shouldered down from the quarters, 

 or what is called Professor Colman's patent 

 bar-shoe ; specimens of which may be had 

 at the Royal Veterinary College, London ; or 

 at most veterinary surgeons, m town or 

 country. 



ON SAND CRACK. 



Sandcrack rrifiy be termed a division of the 

 horny fibres of (he hoof, in a direction from 

 the coronet downwards. 



These fissvires, or cracks, are more common 

 to the fore than the iiind feet. When the 

 hind feet are affected, it chieHy runs amongst 

 cart-horses , and that not from the same 

 cause as the forefeet of other Horses. Cart- 

 horses, with their immense high-heeled shoes, 

 from the least irritability, are apt to rub one 

 foot, or the heel of one foot against the front 

 jf the other, whereby occasioning a sore at 

 the coronet, that will cause the hoof to 

 split, and going downwards, beeome what is 

 termed sandcrack. As the treatment of the 

 cart-horse will be similar to that of others, we 

 will go back, as hackney-horses sometimes 

 %<'e more troublesome. 



In the fore-feet of Horses, the disease fre- 

 quently attacks the quarters, as well as the 

 front of the hoof The cause of sandcrack, is 

 chiefly brought on by a brittle state of the 

 hoof; hoofs that are hard and dry naturally. 

 It may also be brought on by injuries done to 

 the coronet ; such as stubs, bruises, &c. 



The fissure, or cleft, is not always of the 

 same depth; sometimes being of such a 

 trifling a nature, as not to penetrate the horn, 

 and occasioning but little inconvenience at 

 first. This is the state to take sandcrack ; 



that is, in its early stage ; which will occasion 

 the curative process to be much milder, and 

 the disease brought quicker to a termination. 

 At other times it goes through the horn, but 

 docs not divide any of the sensible parts un- 

 derneath. However, neglect, and being con- 

 tinued at work, will commonly bring any case 

 from the slightest to the most aggravated 

 state. When the disease has completely 

 penetrated, it then becomes a most painlui 

 affection, and produces extreme lameness. 

 This pain arises principally fiom the edges o. 

 the horn pressing upon the soft parts, when- 

 ever the foot is put to the ground. 



In treating sandcrack, it requires different 

 methods, according to the nature of the dis- 

 ease. In the first place, having examined 

 your foot well, moderately pare out the sole, 

 and lower the heels, and put on a shoe laid 

 off the quarters moderately (this is supposing 

 the crack in front.) Your next attention must 

 now be turned to the cleft or fis^^ure. Exa- 

 mine this well, that not the least particle of 

 dirt is remaining in it ; but should there ap- 

 pear fungus or proud flesh, examine with your 

 probe whether sinuses have been formed. If 

 so, you must take a fine drawing-knife, and 

 remove all horn that may cover them, and 

 lay them completely bare, to prevent them 

 Sfoinff further. Then touch the fungus with 

 lunar caustic, and fill the fissure up with tow, 

 saturated in compound tincture of myrrh, first 

 pouring the sinuses full (if there be any) ; 

 then covering the whole with another piece of 

 tow. After which bind the whole on with a 

 piece of well tarred twine. Let this dressing 

 be carefully applied for two or three day*, 

 when if the appearance of the fissure look »s 

 if going on well, take a firing-iron, and draw 

 it across the fissure, top and bottom. This 



