332 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



many cases, taking care to poultice tlie foot also for several 

 days. 



In other more severe cases, I have found the Insertion of se- 

 tons attended with success, the setons being carried to the lower 

 part of the sinuses, and brought out either at the heels, or be- 

 tween the bars and frog. See my Treatise onthe Foot, &c. — Ed.] 



Tlirush. 



This Is a disease of the frog, causing a discharge of matter 

 from its division or cleft, not often productive of lameness, 

 especially in the hind feet, where it is frequently a consequence 

 of negligence in the groom, in permitting a horse to stand in his 

 dung, or upon foul wet litter. This softens and rots the horny 

 frog, the putrid and acrid fluids penetrate through the soaked 

 and rotten horn, and inflame the sensible frog, causing it to 

 discharge a fetid acrimonious matter, instead of secreting horn 

 for its own defence, as it does in the healthy state. 



Thrushes in the fore feet are sometimes occasioned by con- 

 traction of the heels, but more frequently by the horny box or 

 hoof, considered altogether, becoming too thick, and conse- 

 quently inelastic. The treatment of thrush must depend alto- 

 gether upon the cause which produces it. When in the hind 

 foot, and occasioned by filthiness, the cause must be removed, 

 and then the disorder may cease ; but this is not always the case, 

 for the thrush sometimes has proceeded so far as to produce 

 ulceration of the sensible frog, which then requires to be dressed 

 with a solution of blue vitriol, or oxymel of verdigris. Before 

 this is done, the cleft of the frog should be thoroughly cleansed 

 to the bottom by means of tow ; and if there is any ragged horn 

 covering a diseased part, it should be completely removed. One 

 of these dressings, when it is properly done, is sufficient for the 

 cure. Some tar, or hoof ointment, may be applied, to promote 

 the regeneration of horn, and to defend it from moisture. In 

 cases where the frog has become very tender or rotten, I have 

 found it necessaiy to apply a mixture of tar and sulphuric acid, 

 which is made by adding one ounce, by weight, of sulphuric 

 acid to one pound of melted tar, and stirring the mixture for 

 some time. As to the thrush in the fore feet, when it is attended 

 with heat of the parts and contracted foot, the treatment is dif- 

 ferent : by attempting to stop it by those preparations which are 

 usually employed, the lameness is often increased. The first 

 thing to be done is to rasp the heels and quarters, thin the soles, 

 cover the frog with tar ointment, and wrap the foot in an 

 emollient poultice ; in slight cases, complete and permanent I'e- 

 lief will be thus afforded. Should the thrush continue after the 

 hoof has been well soaked with the poultice, and especially if the 



