188 EVERY MAN HIS OWN FARRIER 



and cleansed, and thoroughly examined, to be sure 

 that the lameness does not arise from a nail casually 

 run through the foot, or a pinch in shoeing, or from a 

 wound from a stump or other substance between the 

 hoofs, (a case frequently occurring.) If no appear- 

 ance occurs of any break in the skin, while the foot is 

 still wet, apply, as nearly as may be, to the centre of 

 the slit, between the hoofs, from one to three grains of 

 corrosive sublimate (reduced to a fine powder) the 

 dose to be proportioned to the size of the animal, and 

 the violence of the attack. Care must be used that 

 the powder is put completely into this slit, for it is a 

 very strong poison, and the animal as soon as at 

 liberty, will begin to lick the foot, if a sore one.* 

 The moisture left by the washing, makes the powder 

 adhere ; and the effect is produced in a very short 

 time. Some prefer mixing the powder with hog's lard, 

 which answers ; but is thought less powerful : it has 

 one advantage, however, as being less dangerous to 

 keep in a house (for no one takes salve inwardly.) 

 Where corrosive sublimate cannot be obtained, any 

 other violent stimulant may be applied. Common 

 salt is often effectual in very slight attacks, but it is 

 of the greatest importance to lose no time. The appli- 

 cation is to be repeated once every twenty-four hours, 

 till a cure is effected, or till the foot shows unequivocal 

 signs of a gathering which will break. It is supposed 

 that the corrosive sublimate, by stimulating the parts, 

 removes the obstruction, and enables nature to resume 

 the natural discharge from the issue, of a matter, which 

 (as soon as pent up in the foot) causes inflammation 

 and suppuration, and at last, forms an abscess, at all 



* Might not a rag or bit ofleather be so fiistened with a string 

 as to prevent any danger of this sort ? 



