180 The Horse Farrier. 



other one inch above the toe. A straight needle, armed 

 with a strong ligature, is to be passed through the upper 

 noles, brought over and through a second time ; thus clo- 

 sing the two edges of the fissure by what the sailors term a 

 " round turn." The same thing is to be repeated at the 

 toe. The assistant, by the aid of pincers or otherwise, 

 shuts the crack as close as possible ; the ligatures are each 

 drawn tight, and tied with a surgeon's knot. A small 

 quantity of blister ointment is to be smeared over the 

 crack, and bar shoe applied. A quarter crack may be 

 treated in a similar manner, omitting, however, the 

 sutures. 



After the edges have firmly united, cut the ligatures, 

 and pare the uneven edges of the cicatrix level with the 

 surrounding parts, and the cure is completed. 



SWELLED LEGS. 



If it occurs in young horses, and from those that are 

 over-fed and little exercised, sometimes diuretics or 

 purgatives, with proper management, will afford relief, 

 if there is a great degree of stiffness and pain, somtimes 

 abscesses appear. Physic or diuretics, or both, must be had 

 recourse to, if not connected with diseases and gen- 

 eral debility. Mingle cordial with diuretics. Hay ban- 

 dages dipped in water have a good effect for the agricul- 

 tural horse. 



SCRATCHES. 



Swelled legs, although distinct from grease, is a disease 

 that is apt to degenerate into it. Scratches is a specific 

 inflammation of the skin and heels, sometimes of the fore- 

 feet, but oftener of the hinder ones. The principal cause 

 of the disease is, neglected grooming and care, want of 

 exercise, high feeding, washing the feet and leaving them 

 to dry. The prevention will be proper ventilation, good 

 stabling, grooming, and proper care. It is more likely to 

 affect horses with white feet than others. Some consider 

 the disease contagious. 



Symptoms. — The first is heat and tenderness. On ap- 

 plying the hand to the heel and fetlock, the parts will be 

 found hot, and under pressure, the animal will evince 



