600 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



Hoof Ointment. 



Used by Joseph Gamgee, V. S., formerly professor in the new 

 Veterinary College, Edinburgh, Scotland, over forty years. It is 

 also used as a remedy of great value for skin diseases, referred to 

 particularly in " Scratches and Cracked Heels." 



As a preventive of the injurious effects resulting from changes from humidity 

 to dryness, and vice versa, I have used a hoof ointment, which I have found an adv 

 mirable adjunct to all other good management. 



When I began to see that humidity impaired the texture of the hoof, I had re- 

 course to oil, lard, or tallow, with the view to exclude moisture ; but my experi- 

 ments were attended with questionable effect, except in the case of mutton tallow, 

 which, during wet weather, I found beneficial. 



The following is the formula, as improved : — 



Resin , t ... 2 parts. 



Mutton "tallow 2 parts. 



JJarbadoes tar 2 parts. 



Yellow wax ~. , 1 part.. 



Gastor-oil 1 part. 



Given on page 983 of " Facts for Horse Owners." 



To be combined according to pharmaceutical rules. 



This ointment is a perfect antiseptic, and as soon as it is applied to horses' feet 

 with bad thrushes, the offensive odor ceases. 



Directions for Use. — The ointment should be applied after the feet are washed 

 clean and become'' dry, and is most effectually applied by rubbing in with the hand. 



Take a piece the size of a walnut, press it on the sole at the point of the frog, 

 then into the commissures ; and lastly, rub it well into the sole and frog, and then 

 extend it over the wall, and round the coronet, using as much as may be sufficient to 

 cover these parts effectively. , It may be repeated about every fourth day ; and the 

 evening, after work, is the best time; or once a week will suffice to keep the 'feet 

 in good condition under ordinary work. 



Good for Skin Diseases. 



Though I have called the preparation a hoof, ointment, it is as effectual for the 

 cure of many of the most troublesome skin diseases as it is good for the preservation 

 of the feet. The breaking out of blotches and cracks of the keels, to which horses 

 are so liable in winter, after the very objectionable practice of clipping and trim- 

 ming, is cured by nothing so readily as by this ointment, well rubbed in, after the 

 parts have been thoroughly washed with warm water and soap. In the same way 

 as directed for horses' hoofs, the ointment is good for the feet of cattle, sheep, and 

 sporting dogs. ' 



Grease. 



This may be considered as an aggravated condition of scratches, 

 and is induced by the same general causes. In the early stage, it 

 consists in inflammation of the sweat glands, followed by an offen- 

 sive, white, oily discharge from the heels. The acrid character of 

 the discharge often causes large portions of the skin to slough away, 

 leaving ugly sores behind. 



