76 



slough off. Purging physic will be necessarj to corei" 

 pletc the cure. 



SAND CRACK. 



Sijmptoms.--A split or crack in the hoof, on the in- 

 side quarter of the fore foot, for the most part, but of- 

 ten on the front of it, down towards the toe, and occa- 

 sionally on the outside, and also near the heel. Some- 

 times it appears on the hind foot, on the front of it, and 

 prevails with us generally in hot weather. Sand-crack 

 is either superficial and easily remedied, or deep and 

 extensive, requiring much attention, and an operation 

 or two in its different stages. 



Cure. —It will he seen that a slight crack may, by 

 working the animal, become one of the worst species. 

 Pare away the rotten parts, if such be found, and make 

 a transverse incision across the upper part of the crack ; 

 wash cut the sand or dirt, apply daily, tincture of tar, 

 with a pledget of tow, and give the horse rest. Bind 

 round the hoof tight with lasting, and stop up the sole 

 with cow-dung, and this treatment will answer in ordin- 

 ary cases. But when the crack extends so high, that 

 there is no room left for making this incision across, to 

 stop the progress of the crack, the diiiorder has assumed 

 its worst aspect ; the edges of the crai k internally now 

 press upon the sensible part, or laminated substance 

 that holds the coffin-bone and hoof together, and in- 

 flammation succeeds, if blood does not issue forth. If 

 the crack affects the coronet, you may draw one side of 

 it down to the quick about an inch with good effect, but 

 no farther, as that would occasion the hoof to divide 

 more readily. Rest, however will restore adhesion to 

 the upper part of the crack, and when this has taken 

 place extensively, the operation of cutting across, or of 

 firing it across with one line only, may be performed, 

 with every prospect of success ; for as the hoof grows 

 down, which it does from the coronet, this transverse ar- 

 tificial crack you have made, intercepts the material 

 for forming horn, on its inside, and thus contributes 

 greatly to fill up the chasm below. To increase this 

 supply of the horny material, let the coronet be anoint- 

 ed with a solution of tar and tallow and hog's lard, dai- 

 ly, which should be extended to the horny part of the 

 hoof. 



