186 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



days ; after which the whole crust must be dressed with 

 some stimulating application, which should be continued 

 for some months. The best ointment consists of equal 

 portions of grease and oil of turpentine for the first 

 month, after which the turpentine should be consider- 

 ably diminished. The horse should have his shoes re- 

 moved entirely, and be put to stand on a deep bed of 

 tan, fresh from the tanner's yard. Tan can be pro- 

 cured anywhere, and is the only proper material for 

 litter when the hoof is thus diseased. 



THRUSH. 



Thrush proceeds from various causes, but inflamma- 

 tion of the frog is the immediate cause. Some horses 

 have very soft frogs, which will become diseased by the 

 application of cow-dung as a stopping, and contact with 

 straw saturated with urine, which causes irritation to the 

 sensitive frog, which contracts a diseased secretion 

 which exudes through the cleft of the frog ; which, if 

 allowed to go on, will assume an ulcerative form, which 

 will most probably terminate in canker. This kind of 

 thrush is best treated by carefully avoiding the excit- 

 ing cause by strict attention to providing dry litter, 

 as well as by applying a lotion consisting of two 

 scruples of chloride of zinc to the half-pint of water, 

 three times daily. When thrush results from plethora, 

 cooling diet and alteratives should be given, and the 

 frog dressed with common tar; and if the secretion 



