342 THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



and closing of the breach in the sole to which it owes its exist- 

 ence ; the second, the elevation of the coffin bone, and its adjust- 

 ment, as far as wc can, in its natural position. I say ' position/ 

 for as to forcing up the bone into its proper place again, of course 

 that is a matter entirely out of the range of possibility. When 

 once complete separation of the lamina? has taken place, no power 

 we possess can restore their union ; indeed, no means can be 

 employed to effect so much as we may be able to accomplish to- 

 wards the raising up of the bone before we have completely 

 restored the integrity of the sole, and made the part where the 

 breach existed sound and firm, and able without pain to bear 

 pressure. 



" For the Healing of the Wound, the continued application of 

 poultices will be found beneficial so long as any annoying inflam- 

 matory action is lurking about the foot, and so long as the wound 

 itself puts on a healthy aspect, and seems disposed to granulate, 

 or actually is granulating. But whenever such is not its charac- 

 ter, and particularly when its surface looks pallid, and the circu- 

 lation through it appears languid, stimulating and detergent 

 dressings ought to be substituted for the poultices. 



" Of the various Kinds of Dressings in ordinary use for the pur- 

 pose of promoting the healing of foot wounds, and their subsequent 

 coating by a sound secretion of horn, none are found to answer 

 well, unless they be, through some suitable contrivance, firmly 

 bound upon the ulcerated surface, so as to give as much pressure 

 to it as the animal can bear. Pressure to the extent of produ- 

 cing pain is injurious ; but the utmost degree short of this is uni- 

 formly found to be attended with the happiest effects. In short, 

 without concomitant pressure, the most extolled dressings will 

 seldom prove of much avail. If the hoof be cool, and it is con- 

 sidered that a light shoe can be worn without hurt, providing it 

 be put on with small nails driven through parts of the crust able 

 to bear the concussion of the hammer and to hold such nails, great 

 advantage will be derived from it, inasmuch as it will afford very 

 convenient means for employing such pressure as is 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 



