HORSE AILMENTS AND HOW TO DOCTOR THEM. 387 



effected by a properly arranged bar shoe, throwing the pressure 

 on the frog, and taking care that the crust behind the crack is 

 not in contact with the shoe. By this plan I have been able to 

 cure sand crack during moderate work. 



In obstinate cases the shoe may be so arranged on either the 

 fore or hind foot as to not bear much weight of the wall near 

 the crack upon the shoe, and while the foot is stripped of the 

 shoe drive a fine nail through in the usual place, leaving it up- 

 right, and then, on placing the shoe, be sure and have one of 

 the holes punched so as to come near the crack and on the op- 

 posite side of the nail already driven ; and then, with a fine 

 annealed wire passed over the two nails, draw the crack to- 

 gether as far as possible. 



Keep the hoof moist with the following ointment, which I 

 have used for many years, and which I call " Dimon's Hoof 

 Ointment " : 



Fish oil, . . . . .1 pint. 



Pine tar, . . . . .1 pint. 



Oil of tar, . . . . .2 ounces. 



Melt and stir together and apply, after first washing and drying the hoof. 



STOCKING OR SWELLING OF THE LEGS. 

 The legs of the horse are quite liable to be attacked with 

 swelling, occurring much oftener in the hind legs than in the 

 fore ones. The extent and degree of swelling varies greatly, 

 as also does its duration. Swelling of the legs frequently takes 

 place as an accompaniment to other diseases, but I am now 

 speaking of this subject as a disease of itself. It is an acute in- 

 flammation of the cellular tissue of the legs. 



Symptoms. This disease is generally quite sudden in its 

 appearance, and a horse may appear all right at night and the 

 next morning be swollen from the hoof to the hock ; but it is 

 usually more gradual. This swelling is usually attended with 

 a great deal of heat and swelling in the diseased part and a 

 stiffness rather than a lamenesss. Generally the swelling goes 

 down when the horse is exercised, and returns again from long 

 standing. 



