FEET OF THE HORSE AND THEIR DISEASES. 285 



very persistent and thorough treatment to stop the disease, and can never be 

 reduced to its natural size and form. In extreme cases lameness is per- 

 manent, with a tendency of the toe to turn up, and the horse walks on his heel. 

 What to do. — If taken as soon as it breaks open at the top, poultice the 

 foot for twenty -four hours, to soften all the parts. Then give the diseased 

 part vent at the bottom, to allow the matter, if any, to run out there if it 

 will; but if none is found at the bottom, do not cut the hoof to make it 

 bleed, as that would only make another sore, and would do no good. Open 

 it freely at the top; probe it with a piece of smooth, rounded whalebone to 

 find how deep the hole goes, and in what dii'ection. Then follow the probe 

 down with the knife, and open right out and down the hoof, as far as the 

 hole goes, taking out a V-shaped piece of the wall to allow the matter to 

 escape at the bottom, instead of making it come out at the top. Scarify the 

 purple flesh to set up a healthy inflannuation in the part. Then sponge it out 

 with warm water to cleanse it, and follow with a lotion made as follows: 



No. 1. 2 Drachms sulphate of copper, 



Yi Pint water. 

 Mix. 



Inject it well down into the wound, twice a day. If it burns and causes 



a scab to come on the flesh, dilute it a little after using it three or four 



days. If after a week or ten days the wound does not appear to be getting 



weU, change to the following: 



No. 2. 3 Drachms sulphate of zinc, 



Yi Pint water. 

 Mix. 



By being careful that the opening is down to the bottom all the time, to 

 let the matter out, you will have no trouble in curing it. Keep the shoe 

 otf till the foot is well enough to work ; then put on a bar shoe so as to 

 protect the weak quarter. 



In very bad cases, in which there are several pipes running in as many 



directions, it is absolutely necessary to open up each one fearlessly. Then 



go on with the lotions given above, and change occasionally to the following: 



No. 3. 1 Drachm corrosive sublimate, 



Yz Pint water. 

 Mix. 



In long continued treatment it is advisable to alternate the lotions, one 

 week on, and one oflf. 



The hoof will grow faster on account of the inflammation in it, so that it 

 will be necessary to have the foot pared down occasionally. When the 

 discharge is all dried up and the disease cured, blister the enlargement to 

 reduce it. After the blister has taken hold, grease the part once a day, 

 till it is nearly well, then repeat the blister. Soak the foot often, and pack 

 it with oil-cake meal to keep it soft. 



