CHAPTER III. 



SOLUTIONS OF CONTINUITY IN TRE HORN. 



1. Sandcracks. 



A SAKDCRACK is a lissure in the wall running parallel with the 

 direction of the horn fibres. Its position, length, and depth 



Fig. 347. — Hoof showing sandcracks at coronary and at bearing margin, and a sandcrack 

 extending throughout the wall. The latter exhibits a nail inserted for the purpose of 

 ' riveting ' the crack (semi-diagrammatic). 



are all of importance in determining its probable results and 

 the proper treatment to adopt. 



According to position we distinguish sandcracks of the toe, 

 quarter, heel, and bar. Some afiPect the coronary margin, some 

 the bearing margin, while some extend from one margin to the 

 other of the wall ; some are superficial, others penetrate the 

 thickness of the horn wall. There is little difficulty in recog- 

 nising sandcrack, except when a slight fissure has just com- 

 menced at the coronet and the hoot has been dressed with an 

 ointment or when the crack has been filled up. To avoid 

 overlooking such cases the hoof should be thoroughly cleansed 

 before examination. Deep cracks which extend from top to 

 bottom of the wall are easily seen, because bleeding often occurs 

 when the animal is worked, and lameness is a frequent though 

 not a constant feature. "VYhen of old standing, and involving 

 the entire thickness of the wall, sandcracks show prominent 

 edges, which sometimes overlap and which are very noticeable. 



