DISEASES FROM FAULTY CONFORMATION 175 



all movement of the crack apparently restricted. There is 

 always a tendency, however, for such a dressing to work 

 loose, and in the case of a complicated crack it has the 

 disadvantage of permanently hiding from view the changes 

 taking place in the discharge from the fissure. 



(e) By wedging the Crack. — This is the exact opposite of 

 clamping. Whereas in clamping we obtain immobility of 

 the crack by keeping it fixed in the position of greatest 

 approximation of its edges, in wedging, the crack is rendered 

 free from movement by maintaining it in that position 

 where its edges are most widely separated. In this case 

 the edges of the crack are pared smooth, the cavity thor- 

 oughly cleansed, and a wedge of hard wood firmly driven 

 in so as to fit exactly the fissure. 



On the face of it it appears that this procedure would 

 really tend to force open and so lengthen the crack, especi- 

 ally at its coronary extremity. What one should really 

 remember, however, is that the crack is not made wider 

 than before, but that it is simply maintained in a position 

 occurring with every contraction of the heels of the foot, 

 when it is normally at its widest. Movement of the edges 

 is thereby stopped, the immediately surrounding structures 

 are rested, and a new growth of horn, free from crack, 

 induced to grow down from the coronet. 



This method of treatment only serves to emphasize the 

 fact that, with a sand-crack once formed, it is the constant 

 movement of the parts that tends most to keep it in exist- 

 ence, and not any particularly marked exertion of force. 



Some practitioners, with the wedge, apply also a clamp, 

 thus assuring additional firmness and solidity to that por- 

 tion of the wall under treatment. 



The method of wedging is undoubtedly successful, if 

 neatly performed. 



(/) By Surgical Shoeing. — A partial rest is given to the 

 affected parts by easing the bearing of the shoe at the point 

 required. This may be done either by removal of part of 

 the wall at the spot indicated, or by thinning the web of 

 the shoe in the same position. 



