HOOF DRESSINGS AND THEIR ACTION. 315- 



4*71 per cent. Smith gives the following figures as to the 

 capacity for absorption of fresh wall horn. In from twenty- 

 six to ninety-eight days the horn absorbed : — 



Water, . . . 20'3G per cent. 



Castor oil, . . 0*2 34 per cent, (brittle, dry horn). 



Olive oil, . . 2-2 per cent. 



Lanoline, . . 8*5 per cent. 



The loss of such substances in a j^iven time is more or less the 

 same as the gain. Dominik has confirmed the experiments of 

 Zschokke and added to them as follows : — 



1. Horn loses moisture but slowly ; evaporation is greatest 

 from the periople, frog, sole, and portions of the wall which 

 have been rasped or fissured. 



2. Horn takes up water to a slight extent, absorption being 

 freest in the frog and periople ; less so in the freshly pared 

 sole and in the rasped and fissured wall. ,. 



3. The frog and periople become completely softened and 

 their length and thickness alter. 



4. Hoof ointments diminish both evaporation and absorption 

 of water, especially by the periople and frog. 



5. Oil is a less valuable dressing- than ointment. The 

 dressing should be of moderately firm consistence and may 

 contain wax, turpentine, and fat. ■■ 



6. Tar penetrates and softens the superficial layers. It is, 

 therefore, only suitable for the sole and frog, in which the; 

 superficial parts are naturally shed. , 



7. Ointments of wax, turpentine, and fat are most effectual 

 on the periople, on the freshly trimmed frog and sole, and 

 on the rasped or fissured wall. They preserve the elasticity of 

 the horn chiefiy by preventing evaporation. Poultices and 

 foot-baths are only necessary where the feet become excessively 

 dry from horses standing continuously in the stable. 



As ointments have little power of softening horn, their us^ 

 should always be preceded by that of water. 



