SANDCRACK. 545 



These fissures are more common to the fore than to the 

 hind feet ; not but tlie latter are sometimes affected, particu- 

 larly of cart and other heavy draught horses ; in which 

 last animals they are generally observed in front of the hoof, 

 and arise from the violent strain put on this part in drawing 

 loads : in the fore feet they are more usually situated upon 

 the inner side of the foot : here, also, the weakness of the 

 quarter, and the increased weight thrown on it, acts pecu- 

 liarly disadvantageously : sandcracks are, however, seen 

 occasionally in the front of the fore feet. In every instance, 

 where it is not occasioned by some outward injury to the 

 hoof, it is, we believe, brought on by a brittle state of the 

 horny fibres ; sometimes it is constitutional. When the 

 hoof is completely penetrated, it becomes a most painful 

 affection, and productive of extreme lameness ; for the 

 divided edges of the horn are apt, during exercise, to admit 

 the protrusion of the soft parts underneath ; which be- 

 coming suddenly pressed on by the approximation of the 

 horny edges, exquisite momentary pain is produced. From 

 the injury done to the sensitive laminated expansion, there 

 is often a sprouting of fungus between the divided edges, 

 which greatly aggravates the symptoms. 



Treatment. — A very different curative plan is proper to 

 be pursued, according to the state in which the complaint 

 may be found. The grand object must be, to interrupt the 

 communication between the crack and the sound horn. 

 Much difference of opinion has arisen as to the best mode 

 of destroying the connexion between the divided and the 

 entire hoof. Some prefer the firing-iron, others the rasp, 

 and others the drawing-knife. In the usual cases of sand- 

 crack, the state of the opening must be first carefully 

 attended to. When, either from pressure, or from dirt 

 getting into the wound, suppuration has taken place, were 

 an attempt made at once to close and bind up the opening, 

 very extensive mischief would be the consequence. Instead 

 of this, the hard edges of the horn should be first removed 

 with a very sharp knife, and the surrounding portions 

 thinned considerably ; after which, the opening should be 

 dressed with any mild stimulant likely to encourage the 

 adhesive inflammation, as a pledget of tow, saturated with 

 the mild solution of chloride of zinc ; and over this another 



N n 



