THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



343 



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 necessary 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 accommodate them more completely to their situation, at the 

 same time that it operates in giving 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 best, and 

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

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

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

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

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

 lignancy — a rare occurrence — make their appearance, escha- 

 rotic 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 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 descrip- 

 tion of foot is that which will, either of itself or through additions 

 made to it, enable us to give that amount of pressure upon the 

 sole which is found to be so requisite for the purposes of support 

 and uplifting of the descended coffin bone, to the extent possible, 



