THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 331 



recovered as to be able to go to work — just four weeks after the 

 operation. 



A twitch having been placed on the horse's nose for the pur- 

 pose of directing his attention from what followed, the edges of 

 the wound were again brought together by stitches, leaving at the 

 base an orifice for the discharge of morbid matter. The parts 

 were then dressed with a compound of aloes and myrrh ; a com- 

 press of linen, saturated with the same, was applied, which 

 was kept in position by means of a bandage encircling the chest. 

 The dressing was renewed once in twenty-four hours until the 

 third day, when a profuse discharge of healthy pus having taken 

 place, the pad and bandage were omitted. About this time the 

 off fore limb became infiltrated, — dropsical, — attended with slight 

 sympathetic fever ; for which he took 



Sulphur, 4 drachms, 



Cream of tartar, 2 drachms, 



Sassafras, 3 drachms. 



This was given as a drench, in thin gruel, for three successive 

 days, with decided benefit. The cure was completed by the fre- 

 quent application of equal parts of linseed oil and pyroligneous 

 acid. The diet consisted of hay and scalded shorts, until the 

 patient was able to take exercise ; when his regular allowance 

 was served out. 



DISEASES OF THE HOOF AND LAMINA. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE HORSE'S HOOF. 



The external covering of the foot may be divided into four 

 parts, viz., the wall, or crust, the bars, sole, and horny frog. The 

 external portion, named crust, is adapted as a defence to the sen- 

 sitive parts within. It is composed of small filaments, or hollow 

 tubes, consolidated in such a manner as to preserve their canals 

 distinct. These canals constitute the excrementitious outlets of 

 the hoof, through which morbific or waste matters make their 

 exit ; and in them may also be found the vessels by which the 



