SAND-CRACK. 325 



times leading the animal through mud two or three inches 

 in depth is practised, the mud effectually concealing the 

 crack, and at the same time the presence of the mud is not 

 likely to excite suspicion. The practitioner, when examining 

 a horse as to soundness, cannot be too careful in looking 

 for such conditions, and must be on his guard against such 

 fraudulent practices. When a centre-crack exists in the 

 hind-foot, and extends from the coronet to the toe, the pain 

 and lameness is far greater tlian in a quarter-crack. 



Treatment.— 'Remove the shoe, and by poultices, or long- 

 continued baths of warm water, allay the irritation and 

 soften the horn, after which trim the edges of the crack 

 nicely so as to leave them smooth. Remove all semi- 

 detached horn. The crack must now be bottomed, that is, at 

 its superior termination a groove must be made transversely 

 in such a manner that the crack cannot extend any further. 

 The groove must pass completely through the horn to do 

 any good. In place of the groove some practitioners simply 

 bottom the fissure with the firing-iron, and in many cases its 

 is successful in preventing further spread of the crack. 

 Another good way is to fire pretty deeply in the shape of 

 the letter V. In a few days the iron may be applied a 

 second time, each time going a little deeper, until the sensi- 

 tive structures are reached. The French recommend an 

 operation by which a portion of the horn is strij^ped off 

 with forceps, and the crack is thereby given a triangular- 

 shaped termination and cannot extend any further. The 

 irritation caused by stripping the horn off is allayed by 

 fomentations, astringent lotions, etc. In most cases it is 

 necessary to apply a bar or round shoe and give plenty of 

 frog pressure. The wall is to be cut down so that the shoe 

 cannot press upon the crack. Bandaging the foot with a 

 cord, strap, or wire is also useful to keep it from spreading. 

 A nice light brass plate or clench, to prevent motion in the 



