88 



DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



the cord ( E, Fig. 49), and then reversed, so as to tighten 

 up E, and are finally tied round the pastern in the usual 

 manner. The arrangement of the cords on the sole is 

 shown in Fig. 51, which is a view from the posterior part. 



4 The advantages of this method of fastening have been 

 found to be : (1 ) It does not chafe the skin ; (2) if properly 

 applied it has never been known to come undone; (3) it 

 is the only way we know that a poultice can be satisfac- 

 torily applied to a mule's hind-foot: (4) horses can be 

 exercised when the poultice is on the foot, which is almost 



Figs. 52, 53.— Two Forms of Poultice-boot. 



impossible with the ordinary leather boot ; ( 5 ) the sacking 

 or canvas does not cut through so quickly.' 



A further method of applying the poultice is by using 

 one of the poultice-boots made for that purpose (see Figs. 

 52 and 53). 



These have an objection. They are apt to be allowed to 

 get extremely dirty, and so, by carrying infective matter 

 from the foot of one animal to that of another, undo the 

 good that the warmth of the poultice is bringing about. 

 The advantage of the ordinary sacking or canvas is that it 

 may be cast aside after the application of each poultice. 



