166 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
BRUSHING. 
Horses with defective formation of the legs and those which are badly 
fed are subject to brushing, which consists in a foot striking the opposite 
fetlock, or the part above this, usually on the hind leg. 
TREATMENT.—If there be swelling and soreness, apply cloths saturated 
in arnica-solution to remove the enlargement and inflammation. Then care- 
fully strap around the joint a leather or India-rubber boot (a woolen boot 
turned down over the joint will answer, though not so well). If the horse 
has been poorly fed, strengthen the constitution by nutritious food. Give 
perfect rest until the bruise is healed. A repetition of the injury may 
sometimes be prevented by putting feather-edged shoes on the hind feet, 
though they are useless on the fore feet. This throws the joints farther apart. 
In cutting of the fore feet, make the shoeing perfectly level, carefully rasp- 
ing off the part which strikes. It may, however, be necessary to use a boot 
all the time. 
SPEEDY CUT. 
Speedy cut occurs during rapid action, usually in horses with poorly- 
shaped legs, and is caused by one or both feet striking the opposite fetlock 
or the part above it. The pain is so much greater, and the shock to the 
“system so much more severe, that it is a more dangerous trouble than 
brushing. It causes the horse to suddenly fall, with the rider, at high speed. 
A small bare place, partially covefed with hair, will be found on the inside 
of the shank-bone; perhaps a cut, scab, or break in the skin. In bad cases 
the sheath of the bone and the bone itself may be swollen, 
TREATMENT.—The treatment is the same asin Brushing. Usually, 
however, a boot must be made with a pad on the inside, reaching down to 
the fetlock from the knee and held in place by buckles. 
OVER-REACH AND TREAD. 
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A wound made on the back part of the crown of the front foot by the 
hind foot is called an over-reach. One made on the corresponding part of 
the hind foot by a horse traveling behind is cailed a fread. 
TREATMENT.—Owing to the peculiar organism of this part of the 
horse a cure is rarely effected, yet the possible serious nature of such 
wounds calls for strict attention. Any portion of the skin or horn that may 
be detached should be removed with scissors and the wound be cleansed 
and dressed with compound tincture of aloes and myrrh put on soft tow, 
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