DISEASES OF HORSES 271 



Earts of water, has given the best results in my hands, equally as 

 ivorable success has been secured by others from the use of caustic 

 soda, nitrate of silver, sulphate of zinc, tincture of iodine, etc. But 

 no matter which one of tnese remedies may be selected, it must be 

 used at least twice a day for a time. The solution is injected into the 

 various openings with enough force to drive it to the bottom of the 

 wound, after which the foot is to be dressed with a pad of oakum, 

 held in place by a roller bandage tightly applied. While it is not 

 always necessary, it is often of advantage to relieve the pressure on 

 the parts by rasping away the hoof over the seat of the cartilage ; the 

 coronary band and laminae should not be injured in the operation. 



If the caustic injections prove successful, the discharge will be- 

 come healthy and gradually diminish, so that by the end of the sec- 

 ond week the fistulous tracts are closing up, and the injections are 

 made with much difficulty. If, on the other hand, there is but lit- 

 tle or no improvement after this treatment has been used for three 

 weeks, it may reasonably be concluded that the operation for the re- 

 moval of the lateral cartilage must be resorted to for the cure of the 

 trouble. As this operation can be safely undertaken only by an 

 expert surgeon, it will not be described in this connection. 



THRUSH. 



Thrush is characterized by an excessive secretion of unhealthy 

 matter from the cleft of the frog. While all classes of horses are 

 liable to this affection, it is more often seen in the common draft 

 horse than in any other breed a fact due to the conditions of servi- 

 tude and not to the fault of the breed. Country horses are much 

 less subject to the disease, except in wet, marshy districts, than are 

 the horses used in cities and towns. 



Causes. The most common cause of thrush is the filthy condi- 

 tion of the stable in which the animal is kept. Mares are more liable 

 to contract the disease in the hind feet when the cause is due to filth, 

 while the gelding and stallion are more likely to develop it in the 

 fore feet. Hard work on rough and stony roads may also induce the 

 disease, as may a change from dryness to excessive moisture. The 

 latter cause is often seen to operate in old track horses, whose feet 

 are constantly soaked in the bath tub for the purpose of relieving 

 soreness. Muddy streets and roads, especially where mineral sub- 

 stances are plentiful, excite this abnormal condition of the frog. 

 Contracted heels, scratches, and navicular disease predispose to 

 thrush, while by some a constitutional tendency is believed to exist 

 among certain animals which otherwise present a perfect frog. 



Symptoms. At first there is simply an increased moisture in 

 the cleft of the frog, accompanied by an offensive smell. After a 

 time a considerable discharge takes place thin, watery, and highly 

 offensive, changing gradually to a thicker puriform matter, which 

 rapidly destroys the horn of the frog. Only in old and severe cases 

 is the patient lame and the foot feverish cases in which the whole 

 frog is involved in the diseased process. 



Treatment. Thrushes are to be treated by cleanliness, the re- 

 moval of all exciting causes, and a return of the frog to its normal 



