138 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 



to promote the growth of the fibrous structure as well 

 as lubricating it. 



Sand- Cracks seldom go diagonally, but are either 

 horizontal or vertical. I shall endeavour to exemplify 

 the simple principle of this disease with a simple prin- 

 ciple of remedy, dealing with it like a split in a board 

 on which I desired to put an effectual stopper. In such 

 a case I should carefully gouge out a small hole at each 

 end of the split, beyond which hole the fissure would be 

 certain not to pass. With the hoof the same principle 

 can be carried out by filing an indentation directly 

 across each end of the crack, only taking care nGt to file 

 deeper than the insensible part of the hoof ; or the end 

 will be answered by using a red-hot firing-iron instead 

 of a file, taking the same precaution not to touch the 

 sensible part. I should also weaken along the edges of 

 the crack itself by rasping them down. Over the crack, 

 if deep, should be strapped a thin pad of tow and tar, 

 to induce reproduction and prevent foreign substances 

 from entering the fissure. 



Unless by the grossest neglect, no sand-crack will 

 have been allowed to go beyond the reach of the fore- 

 going treatment, but in some cases the effect of negli- 

 gence and ignorance is seen in the horizontal crack 

 running almost round the foot. In such cases it will 

 generally be found that with a flat foot (inclined to 

 greater malformation) the toes have been suffered to 

 extend, shoeing after shoeing, by the smith allowing 

 a great accumulation of wall over the toe, until the 

 centre has become weakened into a fissure. Such a 

 state of things seldom or never occurs in a gentleman's 

 stable, but is to be met with among farm-horses or 

 those accustomed to heavy draught. 



