1 82 THE HORSE. 



Thrusll is a disease characterized by an excessive secretion of un- 

 healthy matter from the cleft of the frog. While all classes of horses 

 are liable to this affection, it is more often seen in the common draft 

 horse than other breeds, a fact due to the conditions of servitude and not 

 to the fault of the breed. Country horses are much less subject to the 

 disease, except in wet, marshy districts, than are the horses used in 

 cities and towns. 



Causes. The most common cause of thrush is the filthy condition 

 of the stable in which the animal is kept. Mares are more liable to con- 

 tract the disease in the hind-feet when the cause is due to filth, while 

 the gelding and stallion are more likely to develop it in the fore-feet. 

 Hard work, on rough and stony roads, may also induce the disease, as 

 may a change from dryness to excessive moisture. The latter cause is 

 often seen to operate in old truck horses, whose feet are constantly 

 soaked in the bath-tub for the purpose of relieving soreness. Muddy 

 streets and roads, especially where mineral substances are plentiful, ex- 

 cite this abnormal condition of the frog. Contracted feet, scratches, and 

 navicular disease predispose to thrush, while by some a constitutional 

 tendency is believed to exist among certain animals which otherwise pre- 

 sent a perfect frog. 



Symptoms. At first there is simply an increased moisture in the 

 cleft of the frog, accompanied by an offensive smell. After a time a 

 considerable discharge takes place (thin, watery, and highly offensive), 

 changing gradually to a thicker uniform matter, which rapidly destroys 

 the horn of the frog. Only in old and severe cases is the patient lame 

 and the foot feverish, (cases in which the whole frog is involved in the 

 diseased process) . 



Treatment. Thrushes are to be treated by cleanliness, the removal 

 of all exciting causes, and a return of the frog to its normal condition. 

 As a rule, the diseased and ragged portions of horn are to be pared away, 

 and the foot poulticed for a day or two with boiled turnips, to which may 

 be added a few drops of carbolic acid or a handful of powdered charcoal 

 to destroy the offensive smell. The cleft of the frog and the grooves on 

 the edges are then to be cleaned and well filled with dry calomel, and the 

 foot dressed with oakum and a roller bandage. If the discharge is pro- 

 fuse the dressing should be changed daily, otherwise it may be left on 

 for two or three days at a time. Where a constitutional taint is sup- 

 posed to exist with swelling of the legs, grease, etc. , a purgative fol- 

 lowed by dram doses of sulphate of iron, repeated daily, may be pre- 



