PUMICE FOOT. 427 



the degree of pressure found so salutary and effectual. This is to 

 be managed by obtaining two or more pieces of iron hooping, 

 cut into lengths to admit of being placed, diagonally, across the 

 sole, and of being confined in that situation through their ends 

 being driven, for stays, between the web of the shoe and the 

 sole. They should be so placed as to cross each other opposite 

 to the part where the dressing is, that being previously covered 

 with as many thicknesses of tow as become requisite for the ne- 

 cessary pressure. After the hoop-iron stays are arranged so as 

 to give firm and steady support to the tow underneath them, they 

 may be, at the point of crossing, well hammered down upon the 

 foot; an operation which will serve to accomodate them more 

 completely to their situation, at the same time that it conduces 

 to give additional pressure, which will be maintained when the 

 foot comes to be set upon the ground by the standing of the horse 

 upon the compressed dressing. 



In regard to the best medicament to apply, providing the 

 exposed parts of the sensitive sole be — as they commonly are — 

 in a healthy condition, stimulating applications agree well, and 

 no one in the class exceeds in efficacy the ol. terebinthinse. 

 This, under the influence of pressure, will generally of itself 

 bring about all we desire ; though, should any change of dress- 

 ing be deemed desirable, we may use either tinct. benzoin, co., 

 or tinct. myrrhse co. Should any signs of unhealthiness or ma- 

 lignancy — a rare occurrence — make their appearance, escharotic 

 stimulants, such as solutions of copper and zinc, and even of 

 mercury, might be employed. An astringent, such as solution 

 of alum, or a detergent in the form of chloride of lime, may also 

 occasionally be required. 



Having succeeded in healing the wound and causing the 

 breach to be covered over with sound though soft horn, a dossil of 

 dry tow well pressed down will be all that will be further needed 

 to keep the dirt and wet from the parts, and to harden and prepare 

 them for being finally stopped, and, thereby protected from injury, 

 when the horse shall be permitted to take exercise or go to work. 

 The new-formed sole being now sound and tolerably firm and 

 hard, should a shoe have not been nailed on the foot before, now 

 is the time for one to be put on. And the shoe best for such a 



