86 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



carrying to every foot case a compact outfit, such as that 

 carried by the smith. This will consist of hammer and 

 pincers, drawing-knife and buffer. Much valuable time is 

 then often saved which would otherwise be wasted in 

 driving round for the nearest smith. 



There are other special operations requiring the use of 

 specially-devised instruments for their successful carrying 

 out- These we shall mention when we come to a con- 

 sideration of the operation in which they are necessary. 



C. THE APPLICATIONS OF DRESSINGS. 



One of the most common methods of applying a dressing 

 to the foot is poulticing. Usually resorted to on account 

 of its warmth-retaining properties, the poultice may also 

 be medicated. In fact, a poultice, strongly impregnated 

 with perchloride of mercury or other powerful antiseptic, 

 is a useful dressing in a case of a punctured foot, or a 

 wise preliminary to an operation involving the wounding 

 of the deeper structures. The poultice may consist of any 

 material that serves to retain heat for the longest time. 

 Meal of any kind that contains a fair percentage of oil is 

 suitable. Crushed linseed, linseed and bran, or linseed- 

 cake dust are among the best. 



To prepare it, all that is necessary is to partly fill a 

 bucket with the material and pour upon it boiling water. 

 The hot mass is emptied into a suitable bag, at the bottom 

 of which it is wise to first place a thin layer of straw, in 

 order to prevent the bag wearing through, and then secured 

 round the foot This is generally done by means of a piece 

 of stout cord, or by straps and buckles fastened round the 

 pastern and above the fetlock. 



An improved method of fastening has been devised by 

 Lieutenant-Colonel Nunn : 



' A thin rope or stout piece of cord about 5 feet long is 

 doubled in two, and a knot tied at the double end so as to 

 form a loop about 5 or 6 inches long, this length depending 

 on the size of the foot (as at A, Fig. 48). The poultice or 

 other dressing is applied to the foot, and the cloth wrapped 



