CRACKED HEELS 425 



continuing, results in inflammation, when the skin, before cool, now becomes 

 red, swollen, hot, and tender. At the same time moisture oozes through 

 the surface, and the tissues having lost their cohesion, split across in conse- 

 quence of the frequent bending of the joint. 



Cracked heels are invariably attended with more or less lameness. In 

 progression, and especially at starting, the legs are raised some distance 

 from the ground, and are sometimes sharply caught up and suspended in 

 the air. The limb about the fetlock-joint, and maybe as high as the knee 

 or hock, is swollen and more or less painful to the touch. A discharge of 

 a sticky and sometimes of an offensive character flows from the wound, and 

 the horse stands with the fetlock-joint' in a semi-flexed condition. 



Treatment. The objects of treatment will be to subdue existing in- 

 flammation and bring about healing of the wound. The first of these 

 indications will be best accomplished by the prompt administration of a 

 dose of physic; at the same time the diet should be carefully regulated, 

 and consist for the most part of bran and a little crushed corn. After the 

 physic has ceased to operate, a little green food, carrots, or other roots 

 should be supplied morning and evening. 



In the matter of local treatment, a poultice of linseed-meal or boiled 

 carrots should be placed on the heel and secured by a long flannel bandage 

 wound round the leg as high as the knee. The bandage should- be so 

 adjusted that the pastern cannot be flexed, or the lips of the wound will 

 be repeatedly drawn apart during movement, and healing thereby delayed. 



The poultice should be changed not less than three times daily, as when 

 allowed to get foul it tends to irritate rather than soothe. 



When the inflammation has subsided, the wound should be dressed two 

 or three times a day with some antiseptic powder or solution, and covered 

 by a pledget of cotton-wool and secured by a bandage as before. As soon 

 as may be, the wool and bandage should be discontinued, and the part kept 

 freely dusted over with a powder composed at first of boracic acid and flour 

 or prepared chalk, to which a little alum may be added later. Where, as 

 is sometimes the case, the edges of the wound become callous and refuse 

 to heal, a little caustic must be freely applied to them, so as to excite a 

 fresh granulating or healing surface. 



When the wound has healed, and the skin resumes its normal condition, 

 it should be carefully guarded against undue exposure to wet and dirt, as 

 a return of the mischief may be easily provoked by these means. 



