391 



must be used at least twice a day for a time. The solution is to be 

 injected into the various openings with enough force to drive it to the 

 bottom of the wound, after which the foot is to be dressed with a 

 pad of oakum, lield in place b}^ a roller bandage tightl}^ applied. 

 "While it is not always necessary, in many cases it is of advantage to 

 relieve the pressure on the parts by rasping away the horn over the 

 seat of the cartilage; the coronary band and the lamin;e sliould not 

 be injured in the operation. 



If the caustic injections prove successful, the discharge will become 

 healthy and graduallj' diminish, so that by the end of the second week 

 it will be found that the fistulous tracts are closing up, and that the 

 injections are made with much difficulty. 



If, on the other hand, there is but little or no improvement after 

 this treatment has been used for three weeks, it may reasonal^ly be 

 concluded that the operation for the removal of the lateral cartilage 

 must be resorted to for the cure of the trouble. As this operation 

 can be safely undertaken only by an expert surgeon, it will not be 

 described in this connection. 



THRUSH. 



Thrush is a disease characterized bj* an excessive secretion of un- 

 healthy matter from the cleft of the frog. "While all classes of horses 

 are liable to this affection, it is more often seen in the common draft 

 horse than in any other breed, a fact due to the conditions of servi- 

 tude and not to the fault of the breed. Country horses are much less 

 subject to the disease, except in wet, marshy districts, than are the 

 horses used in cities and towns. 



Causes. — The most common cause of thrush is the filth}' condition 

 of the stable in which the animal is kept. Mares are more liable to 

 contract the disease in the hind feet when the cause is due to filth, 

 while the gelding and stallion are more likely to develop it in the fore 

 feet. Hard work, on rough and stony roads, may also induce the dis- 

 ease, as may a change from dryness to excessive moisture. The latter 

 cause is often seen to operate in old track horses, whose feet are con- 

 stantly soaked in the bath-tub for the purpose of relieving soreness. 

 Muddy streets and roads, especially Avhcre mineral substances are 

 plentiful, excite this abnormal condition of the frog. Contracted 

 heels, scratches, and navicular disease predispose to thrush, while by 

 some a constitutional tendency is believed to exist among certain 

 animals which otherwise present a perfect frog. 



SyinptoDis. — At first there is simply an increased moisture in the 

 cleft of the frog, accompanied by an offensive smell. After a time a 

 considerable discharge takes place— thin, watery, and highly offen- 

 sive — changing gradually to a thicker puriforni matter, which rapidly 

 desti'03's the horn of the frog. Only in old and severe cases is the 

 patient lame and the foot feverisli— cases in which the whole frog is 

 involved in the diseased process. 



