SANDCRACK. 



181 



points of the instrument A (Fig. 56), and then by burning holes in 

 the hoof with them at equal distances from, and at opposite sides of, 

 the crack. The ends of the clasp B are now fitted into the holes 

 made by A, and the clasp is tightened by a powerful pincers, made 

 for the purpose, in order to bring the edges of the fissure closely 



Fig. 55. — Iron for burning grooves in hoof (full size). 



together. This is an easy operation. Vachette (" Recueil de mede- 

 cine veterinaire ") advises that the holes should be made very narrow, 

 so that the points of the clasps will have to be forced into them ; 

 that the horn should be allowed to cool down completely before the 



Fig. 56. — Instruments for clasping a sandcrack. 



clasps are put in ; that it is advisable to use as many clasps as there 

 is room for them, the clasps being placed about two-fifths of an inch 

 apart ; that the clasps should not be covered with any greasy mate- 

 rial, which might cause their hold to become loosened; that it is 

 well to wet them with vinegar or with an acid, so as to facilitate 



