BANDAGES— MANAGEMENT OF THE FEET. 197 



is the proper material, as flannel is too bad a conductor of heat, by 

 evaporation, for the purpose. The whole bandage, after being 

 rolled up rather tightly, should be dipped in cold water, or in 

 the lotion which may be recommended, and then while quite wet 

 it is to be applied in the way which I have just described. The 

 following lotion is useful for the purpose : — 



Take of Tincture of Arnica a wine-glassful. 

 *' Nitre ^ oz. 

 " Sal Ammoniac 1 oz. 

 *' Water half a bucketful. 

 Mix and use by dipping. the bandages in before applying them, and by 

 wetting them with this solution afterwards by means of a sponge. 



If the groom is careful, he may remove inflammation of the legs 

 better by means of dipping them in cold water, or the above lotion 

 may be applied with a sponge every half-hour, holding each leg 

 over the bucket, than with the aid of bandages. A cold douche 

 by means of a forcing garden engine is also extremely beneficial to 

 the legs, but it must be used out of doors, as it will wet the litter 

 and the walls of the stall if the water is splashed over them within 

 doors. 



For Drying and Warming the Legs when the horse is being 

 dressed, flannel is the only proper material for bandages. Its mode 

 of application is not of much consequence, provided the bandages 

 are put on rather loosely, for tight pressure has a tendency to 

 prevent the return of natural heat, which is so much desired. 

 After wetting the legs the bandages should be applied somewhat 

 more tightly, so as to absorb the moisture as much as possible. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE FEET. 



In the STABLED HORSE THE FEET require constant care, for 

 they are not only artificially shod, but they are allowed to stand 

 on a material which is a much worse conductor of heat than the 

 surface of the earth, by nature designed to bear them. Hence, if 

 neglected, they either become hard and brittle, or they are allowed 

 to be constantly wet, and then the soft covering of the frog is de- 

 composed, and emits a disagreeably smelling discharge, which soon 

 wastes it away, leaving no other protection to the sensible organ 

 beneath, and constituting what is called an ordinary thrush. 

 Again, it is found by experience, that not only must the shoes be 

 renewed as they wear out, but even if no work is done, and conse- 

 quently they are not reduced in size, they no longer fit at the ex- 

 piration of about three weeks, and they must then be removed, to 

 allow of a portion of the sole and crust being cut away before they 

 are again put on. The groom must therefore attend to the follow- 

 ing points: — First ^ to prevent the feet from becoming too dry; 

 secondly^ to take measures against their becoming thrushy from 

 17* 



