302 ROUGH HYDROPATHY. 



hoof, instead of allowing the elastic frog and quarters to take the 

 large share of it which nature intended them to receive. Where 

 the natural cushions have not been destroyed, lameness may at 

 once be removed by shortening the crust of the hoof, and letting 

 more weight come on the frog and middle of the foot. 



STRAINS 



749. — Of the sinews, muscles, or joints, from whatever 

 cause, are best treated by abundant and active applications of hot 

 water. Where possible let the injured part be soaked for hours 

 together in water, as hot as can be comfortably borne. Where 

 this is not possible, let the part be kept wet with hot cloths, 

 covered with flannel. Nothing should be tight round the limb, 

 nor anything be allowed to impede the circulation. 



750. — liCt no firing iron, blister, charges, or plasters, come 

 near your horse, as besides their barbarity they can do nothing 

 but mischief They only destroy the skin that should help us 

 to cure. 



Dr. Dadd says " It was customary but a few years ago, to 

 apply charges, and plasters to the back, for the cure of strain and 

 lameness. But the day of plasters, in human as well as veterinary 

 practice, has gone by ; they are now only used by those who 

 have never taken the trouble to understand the exhalatory 

 function of the skin, which salutary function plasters obstruct ; 

 the wet sheet next the skin, and a blanket over it, will be more 

 likely to do good than a plaster." 



751. — In the warm climate of Australia, a lame horse is 

 often tied for hours together in a water hole, two or three feet 

 deep with evident advantage, but this cannot he done with 

 comfort and safety in really cold water. Even such clumsy 

 resorts to nature's great " remover," are more safe and more 

 effectual than the most learned and artistic application of those 

 destructive and painful agents with which the horse has been so 

 long treated. 



CURLES 



752. — Are caused by a malformation of the bones of the 

 hind leg, below the hock. When these present a projecting, 



