WATER AND TOULTICE BOOTS. 401 



required for the application of a poultice, a linen drill top 

 is only necessary ; but when required for a continued appli- 

 cation of cold or warm water, it is necessary to have two or 

 three thicknesses of Bath-coating sewed together, and cut of 

 a proper form for the top. In order that the whole foot may 

 be subjected to moisture, a bottom consisting of two or three 

 pieces of this cloth are sewed together, of the exact form 

 and size required. The top must be soaked in water, and 

 this will naturally descend to the bottom of the boot, where 

 it is absorbed by the doubles of cloth. To keep the boot 

 duly moist, it would be proper to dip the foot with the 

 boot on into a pail of water occasionally through the day, 

 and immediately before shutting the stable for the night. 

 In this way the cooling moisture may be kept up for any 

 length of time. 



However, long-continued moisture has a tendency to de- 

 stroy the texture of the frog, as well as the tough elastic 

 property of the hoofs. To obviate this, two days in each 

 week should be appropriated to keeping the boots off, and 

 an unguent of tar applied to the surface of the foot, which 

 should be well rubbed in with the hand. This will com- 

 pletely saturate the horn, and prevent that crumbly ten- 

 dency which manifests itself when the foot is long kept 

 moist. During this time the horse should have a well-sup- 

 plied bed of litter to prevent injury to the hoof. 



If during the two days on which the boots have been 

 removed the animal paws with his foot, it is very liable to 

 sustain injury ; to prevent this, the use of a rope-boot will 

 be necessary. See plate xi. fig. 8. These boots of the best 

 construction can be obtained at Mr. Thompson's, No. 185, 

 Regent-street, London. They are the invention of Mr. Joseph 

 Goodwin, Veterinary Surgeon to George lY. 



3f 



