"Cracked" Heels in Track Horses. 



This is a condition peculiar to speed horses and is 

 an aggravated form of eczema, presenting deep cracks 

 or furrows in the hollow of the heel. It is apparently 

 the result of the all too frequent leg washing to which 

 these horses are subjected. The various solutions and 

 water collect in the cup of the heels that are after- 

 wards improperly dried. 



Therefore the first requisite to a successful termina- 

 tion of treatment, is the discontinuance of such wash- 

 ing or at least that the leg wash be given in such a 

 manner that the fluid will not come in contact with 

 the cracks. Most of these cases are chronic, and of 

 long standing when they come into the veterinarian's 

 hands. This is an important point to consider in their 

 treatment. The edges of the cracks are hard, indur- 

 ated and have almost a fibrous appearance. 



Treatment should commence with careful curette- 

 ment of the edges and sides of the cracks. While 

 carefully and cleanly done, this curetting must be done 

 thoroughly, scraping off all hardened tissue and pro- 

 ducing in effect a fresh wound. 



When this has been done, the parts should be cov- 

 ered with a mercury bichloride solution 1 to 2000, 

 packed and bandaged. This dressing is allowed to re- 

 main in place for eight or ten hours. It is then re- 

 moved and the cracks thoroughly swabbed but with 



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