DISEASES. 625 



cannot rest on the crack, and recommends the application of two 

 clips on each side of the toe. 



In quarter cracks, it is recommended to lower the toe, to save 

 the bars and the frog ; and when the crack is incomplete, and not 

 accomi^anied with lameness, Defays recommends not to lower the 

 diseased quarter, and to have the heels resting well on that branch 

 of the shoe which shall be thick and straight. Schreb'e advises a 

 calk on that side. If the crack is deep, with excessive lameness 

 and deep lesions, the quarters and heels must be joared down as 

 much as possible, and a bar to be then put on, resting on the 

 frog, if need be. An ordinary shoe, with a thick branch, may be 

 sometimes emploj^ed. 



As part of the hygienic treatment, we may consider the means 

 recommended to increase the secretion of the coronary band. It 

 is known that a slight irritation at that part of the foot is accom- 

 panied with an increased secretion of hoof, which is sometimes 

 sufficient to give rise to a new growth of healthy horn. One of 

 the most common methods is to slightly cauterize the coronary 

 band with the iron. This was already known by old practitioners, 

 who employed an S cautery ; but they committed the error of 

 biirning the hoof too deeply instead of simply cauterizing the cor- 

 onary band. SoUeysel speaks of the cauterization of the band. 

 Garsault mentions only the burning with three S's across the 

 crack. Such cauterization could have no useful effect, and the 

 deep apj)hcation of the cautery might be followed by serious com- 

 plications. For these reasons Lafosse objected to them. In our 

 days it is abandoned, and the coronary band only is touched by the 

 cautery ; Castandet and Key also employ it. Chemical cauteries 

 have also been recommended, nitric acid by Laguerriniere, and 

 more recently by Lafosse. 



Putty of corrosive sublimate and ointment of oxide of mercury 

 are also in use, but have no marked advantages. BHsters prove 

 very beneficial, and also turpentine, as recommended by Lafosse 

 and Key, and the oil of Cade by Maury. Defays ad^dses the putty 

 of gutta percha, which is also used to conceal the clasps. 



The curative treatment is necessary w^henever any complication 

 attends the crack. If it is recent, antiphlogistics and rest should 

 be first tried ; cold bathing, blisters combined with hygienic treat- 

 ment may then be sufficient. A single groove at the upper part 

 of the crack, near the coronary band, is often sufficient, or a re- 



