1()94 DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 



with firm pledgets of tow, so as to press as equally as possible on 

 the growing tissues. A well-made shoe fulfils the same purpose 

 provided the tampons of tow are pressed firmly against the sole 

 and frog by slips of hoop-iron inserted beneath the shoe. Even 

 at a later stage, it is important to renew the dressing every two or 

 three days at least, and to examine the condition of the hoof. 

 Particular attention should be directed to the margins of the diseased 

 spot, and to the dry scab ; if only the slightest trace of grey, greasy 

 materia] is present, it must at once be ascertained whether the process 

 is not spreading in deeper-seated parts. When healing is well 

 advanced, calomel forms a very valuable application. Malcolm 

 ("Jour. Comp. Path." vol. iv.), has cured many cases, by stripping 

 the foot of all loose or under-run horn, carefully cauterising the un- 

 healthy membrane with the hot iron, disinfecting the exposed surface, 

 and applying a dressing of equal parts of copper, iron, and zinc 

 sulphates, mixed with strong carbolic acid and sufficient vaseline 

 to form a paste. The dressing is covered with a pressure pad of 

 tow held in position by a shoe with an iron or leather sole. He strongly 

 advises the eradication of every particle of canker tissue, and places 

 more reliance on the actal cautery than on solid or liquid caustics. 



Mesnard claims to have had excellent results from applying a 

 mixture of 4 parts carbide of calcium and 1 part each of neutral 

 acetate of copper and iodide of starch. The hoof is prepared as 

 for the treatment with nitrate of lead, and after drying is freely 

 dusted with the above powder and a pressure dressing applied. The 

 process is repeated daily. 



Imminger has suggested a " radical operation," consisting in 

 removing the velvety tissue of the sole or the sensitive laminse, where 

 diseased. Whilst Imminger reserves this treatment for old-standing, 

 severe cases, Eberlein practises it in every case, removing the tissue 

 with the knife " as though dealing with a tumour." The wound 

 is then irrigated with sublimate or creolin solution, strewed with 

 pyoktanin, iodoform or thioform, and covered with a compress dressing 

 of gauze and jute. If no severe symptoms appear, the first dressing 

 is left in position for a fortnight and afterwards renewed every eight 

 or ten days. After the first fortnight the surface granulates freely, 

 and is surrounded by a margin of thin healthy horn, which gradually 

 advances over the wound. In dressing, the parts are simply wiped 

 and powdered with iodoform ; any exuberant granulations are excised. 

 Frohner cured 12 out of 14 horses in this way. The average duration 

 of the cases was 27 days. Eberlein considers this the most successful 

 of the many modes of treatment. 



