76 



THRUSH. 



Tlirusli is of two kinds', complete and incomplete ; and is caused 

 by inflammation of the foot, especially of those parts near the 

 sensible frog, which secretes pus instead of horn, and which matter 

 escapes at the cleft of this horny frog. Thrush is often caused by 

 horses standing on foul litter. 



Bad shoeing often produces thrush, because it produces contrac- 

 tion of the foot. The disease is both the cause and the effect of 

 contraction. In some instances the appearance of the foot is scarcely 

 altered, and the malady itself is only recognised after careful exami- 

 nation by the fetid discharge. 



The symptoms of incomplete thrush is a thin discharge which 

 comes from the cleft of the frog, and is caused by severe inflammation 

 of the adjacent parts. If this is allowed to go on the frog will in time 

 scale away, and when renewed is only so partially and in a contracted 

 form, leaving numerous fissures, which discharge purulent matter, 

 offensive to the smell. If this be neglected canker may supervene. 

 In treating the first symptoms of disease be careful not to stop the 

 discharge too rapidly. Astringent lotions must be applied with great 

 caution. Often, if a running thrush be stopped, canker results. 

 From feet affected with thrush the shoes should be immediately 

 removed, the ragged horn cut away, and the animals must be placed 

 on a soft pasture where natural pressure and a cooling diet can be 

 obtained. 



The following lotions have been recommended to be applied : — 



Remove the shoes from the horse's feet, and wash them daily 

 with soft soap and warm water ; also, three times a daj^ bathe the 

 affected feet with a cold solution of salt and water. Keep the 

 bowels gently open, and exercise the animal for two hours daily — on 

 the turf, if possible. Where the horse seems weak give half a 

 drachm of iodide of iron twice weekly. It has been recom- 

 mended to cut away the ragged horn, and lay bare the surface from 

 which the discharge comes. Then apply a little of the follow- 

 ing on tow, which is to be inserted in the cleft and kept there by 

 means of a short piece of stick stretched across the shoe : chloride of 

 zinc ogr., tincture of sesquichloride of iron -^oz., water -^oz. 



Some practitioners wash the frog and foot twice daily with a 

 lotion consisting of nitre and water — an ounce of the former to 

 half a pint of the latter ; and this, together with half an ounce of 

 nitre, given daily in a pint of water, with two drachms of aloes 

 added to this solution weekly. Only a feed and a-half of oats and 

 a bran mash should be allowed daily. 



