72 OP THE DISEASES 



with the drawing knife, in order to prevent dirt 

 and gravel lodging in it, and to enable it to be the 

 more easily kept clean ; secondly, to relieve the 

 part affected from all pressure by drawing a deep 

 furrow with the hot iron round the crack in the 

 shape of a V. Relief is also given, where the 

 fissure is deep, by applying the hot iron down the 

 crack itself, so as to stimulate the parts to throw 

 out new material for the protection of the laminae ; 

 and thirdly, to blister round the coronet with a 

 view of promoting a new growth of horn. 



Various plans, such as a strap or fine wire 

 drawn round the foot, have been tried, with a view 

 of bringing into and keeping in apposition the 

 parts, and so preventing the extension of the 

 fissures. These, however, fail in producing the 

 desired effect, because from the shape and struc- 

 ture of the foot the pressure, which is so applied, 

 draws in the heels and develops rather than other- 

 wise the crack. 



Fissures in front, where the crust is thick, may 

 however, when the inflammation consequent upon 

 the occurrence of the disease has subsided, be suc- 

 cessfully drawn together by inserting a nail side- 

 ways in the crust through the crack, and clenching 

 it on the further side. A very fine nail should be 

 selected for this purpose, and reduced both in 

 length and thickness, and a sharp but broad point 

 must then be given to it. In order to prevent the 



