CALK WOUNDS AND FROSTBITES. 379 



possible, while the toe of the hind foot should project well over the 

 hind shoe. ^ATien circumstances will permit of their use, the fore feet 

 may be shod with the " tips " instead of the common shoe, as described 

 in treatment for contracted heels. 



CALK WOUNDS. 



Horses wearing shoes with sharp calks are liable to wounds of the 

 coronary region, either from trampling on themselves or on each 

 other. These injuries are most common in heavy draft horses, 

 especially on rough roads and slippery streets. The fore feet are 

 more liable than the hind ones, and the seat of injury is commonly 

 on the quarters. In the hind feet the wound often results from the 

 animal resting with the heel of one foot set directly over the front of 

 the other. In these cases the injury is generally close to the horn, 

 and often involves the coronary band, the sensitive laminae, the 

 extensor tendon, and even the coffin bone. 



Treatment. — Preventive measures include the use of boots to pro- 

 tect the coronet of the hind foot, and the use of a blunt calk on the 

 outside heel of the fore shoe, since this is generally the offending 

 instrument where the fore feet are injured. If the wound is not deep, 

 and the soreness slight, cold-water bandages and a light protective 

 dressing, such as carbolized cosmoline, will be all that is needed. 

 'SAIiere the injury is deep, followed by inflammation and suppuration 

 of the coronary band, lateral cartilages, sensitive laminae, etc., active 

 measures must be resorted to. Cold, astringent baths, made by 

 adding 2 ounces of sulphate of iron to 1 gallon of water, should be 

 used, followed by poultices if it is necessary to hasten the cleansing 

 of the wound by stimulating the sloughing process. Where the 

 wound is deep between the horn and skin, especially over the anterior 

 tendon, the horn should be cut away so that the injured tissues may 

 be exposed. The subsequent treatment in these cases should follow 

 the directions laid down in the article on toe cracks. 



FROSTBITES. 



Excepting the ears, the feet and legs are about the only parts of 

 the horse liable to become frostbitten. The cases most commonly seen 

 are found in cities, especially among car horses, where salt is used 

 for the purpose of melting the snow on curves and switches. This 

 mixture of snow and salt is splashed over the feet and legs, rapidly 

 lowering the temperature of the parts to the freezing point. In 

 mountainous districts, where the snowfall is heavy and the cold often 

 intense, frostbites are not uncommon even among animals running at 

 large. 



Symptoms. — When the frosting is slight the skin becomes pale and 

 bloodless, followed soon after by intense redness, heat, pain, and 



