650 OPEEATIONS ON THE FOOT. 



are usually small. The proposition lias, however, we believe, 

 been exaggerated. This is proved by the Arabian horse, which, 

 though accused of the vicious confirmation from heredity, has, 

 according to Vallon, Crompton, and others, the most admirable 

 comformation of his feet, when it has not been shod. It is broad, 

 with good heels, neither too high nor too low, well open, well 

 j)rominent, wide frog, the external wall being strong and well 

 developed. In the horses of Caramania, Ajiatolia, Syria, and those 

 of the Arabs, which are constantly in the desert, from Bagdad 

 and Bassaro to the Gulf of Persia, the foot is handsomely made, 

 and free from all contractions when it has been exempted from 

 shoeing. 



VI. Treatment. — Prophylaxy plays an important part in the 

 treatment of this disease. It is easier and especially more rational, 

 to prevent than to cure it when once estabhshed. 



One of the first indications is to prevent the drying of the hoof, 

 to efi"ect which baths and poultices have been commonly used — 

 the latter formed of cow manure, of clay, etc. — or by the applica- 

 tion of greasy substances, in order to diminish the evaporation of 

 the water of the hoof. Some practitioners are accustomed to use 

 tar and various hoof ointments. The number of preparations 

 brought into use is considerable, and in respect to some of these, 

 the secret of which has been kept by the inventors, the effects 

 have been entirely different, and the hoof, instead of preserving 

 its natm-al good condition, has been altered in its qualities. " It 

 is not with ointment," says Hartman, "that the hoof injured by 

 the blacksmith can be repaired. It is by good shoeing, and never 

 otherwise. The workman, to excuse himself, attributes to the 

 quality of the hoof the origin of the mischief he has done." Hoof 

 ointment never gives to the hoof its natural polish, but many oint- 

 ments, by becoming rancid, take off that which the blacksmith has 

 left. The ii-ritating ingredients which compose them sometimes 

 produce the same results. This does not mean that a reasonable 

 application of ointment is not necessary ; but to act favorably it 

 is essential that one coat should be carefully removed before 

 the apphcation of another. Otherwise, the new will fail of its 

 proper effect, and, on the contrary, the old coat, by its alteration, 

 will give rise to a deterioration of the hoof, especially in affecting 

 the substance which unites the horny elements, and would reduce 

 it to fine powder. And, again, ordinarily it is only the wall which 



