204 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



M.R.C.V.S., the nail holes should be punched well away from the 

 outer edge of the shoe, so that the nails may take a good hold with- 

 out having to be driven high up, which would be apt to start a chip 

 otl' the crust. Keep the feet dry, and stimulate the coronet as 

 advised for " seedy-toe." 



An excellent method of preventing the clinches of the nails from 

 chipping away the horn immediately below them, is, as has been 

 suggested by Mr. H. W. Fraser, of Tirhoot, to use an iron washer 

 placed on the end of the nail after it has been " driven," and before 

 the clinch has been turned down. This washer (Fig. 65) is cut out 

 of thin sheet iron; is circular in shape; is about one-third of an 

 inch in diameter; and has a slit cut through its centre to fit the 

 end of the nail. When the nail has been driven, the washer is fitted 

 on the point, and is lightly hammered down by means of the buffer, 

 or chisel, until it rests firmly against the hoof. The clinch of the 

 nail is then turned down and is cut off just below the lower edge 

 of the washer. In this manner, the horn is not weakened by having 

 cut in it a groove in which the end of the clinch, according to the 

 ordinary jDlan, is to rest. Besides, if any strain falls on the nail, 

 it will be distributed over the surface of the washer, instead of being 

 concentrated on the clinch ; and, consequently, the hoof will be less 

 liable to break away than by the ordinary method of shoeing. Sup- 

 posing that we are shoeing a horse with five nails, we may have 

 the three outer nails and the front one of the inner two nails sup- 

 plied with these washers. I have tried this plan with excellent 

 results. 



Romnald Tobolewsky states that the application of lanoline ren- 

 ders the hoof tough. Before using it, the horn should be cleaned 

 with cold water, and then the lanoline rubbed into the coronet and 

 wall, in small quantities, by means of a woollen rag, until a dull 

 gloss is produced. It can also be applied with advantage to the 

 sole and frog. 



Indigestion is not an unfrequent cause of brittle feet; owing to 

 the sympathy between the mucous membrane of the stomach and 

 intestines, and the sensitive laminae, which secrete the horn of the 

 foot. When irritation and consequent inflammation exist in a 

 secreting structure, its powers become impaired; hence the cases 

 of weak and brittle horn secreted during attacks of indigestion, 

 which should be specially treated. 



In cases of brittle feet which have become chipped away a good 

 deal, we should apply to the exposed surfaces, from time to time, 

 an antiseptic, such as paraffin oil, with the view of destroying any 

 parasites which may be present, and which may, possibly, have in- 

 duced the brittle condition of horn. 



