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deeper. In old cases, particularly in toe-crack, the born on the borders 

 of the fissure loses its vitality and scales off, sometimes through the 

 greater part of its thickness, leaving behind a rough and irregular 

 channel extending from the coronet to the end of the toe. 



In many cases of quarter-crack, and in some cases of toe-crack as 

 well, if the edges remain close together, with but little motion, the fis- 

 sure is dry, but in other cases a thin, offensive discharge issues from 

 the crack and the ulcerated soft tissues, or a fungus-like growth, pro- 

 trude from the narrow opening. 



When the cracks are deep and the motion of their edges considerable, 

 so that the soft tissues are bruised and pinched with every movement, 

 a constant inflammation of the parts is maintained and the lameness is 

 severe. 



Ordinarily, the lameness of sand crack is slight when the patient 

 walks ; but it is greatly aggravated when he is made to trot, and the 

 harder the road the worse he limps. Furthermore, the lameness is 

 greater going down hill than up, for the reason that these conditions 

 are favorable to an increased motion in the edges of the fissure. Lastly, 

 more or less hemorrhage accompanies the inception of a sand crack when 

 the whole thickness of the wall is involved. Subsequent hemorrhages 

 may also take place from fast work, jumping, or a misstep. 



Treatment. — In so far as preventive measures are concerned but little 

 can be done. The suppleness of the horn is, of course, to be maintained 

 by the use of ointments, damp floor, bedding, etc. The shoe is to be 

 proportioned to the weight and work of the animal; the nails holding 

 it in place are to be of proper size and not driven too near the heels; 

 sufficient calks and toe-pieces must be added to the shoes of horses 

 working on slippery roads, and the evils of jumping, fast driving, etc., 

 are to be avoided. 



When a fissure has made its appearance, means are to be adopted 

 which will prevent it from growing longer or deeper ; and this can only 

 be done by arresting all motion in the edges. The best and simplest 

 artificial appliance for holding the borders of a toe crack together is 

 the Yachette clasp. These clasps, and the instruments necessary for 

 their application, can be had of any of the more prominent makers of 

 veterinary instruments. These instruments comprise a cautery iron 

 with which two notches are burned in the wall, one on each side of the 

 crack, and forceps with which the clasps are closed into place in the 

 bottom of the notches and the edges of the fissure brought close together. 

 The clasps being made of stiff steel wire are strong enough to prevent 

 all motion in the borders of the crack. Before these clasps are applied 

 the fissure should be thoroughly cleansed and dried, and, if the injury 

 is of recent origin, the crack may be filled with a putty made of 2 parts 

 ofgutta percha and 1 part of gum ammoniac. The number of clasps 

 to be used is to be determined by the length of the crack, the amount 

 of motion to be arrested, etc. Generally the clasps are from one-half 



