WOUNDS 237 
done by removing the hair'from the coronet and soaking 
the whole foot in a cold antiseptic solution. After removal 
from the bath, the coronet may be dressed with a moder- 
ately strong solution of carbolic acid or perchloride of 
mercury. When the injury is slight and recent, such is 
sufficient to effect resolution. 
When marked swelling persists, however, and the in- 
crease in heat and tenderness denotes the formation of pus, 
recovery is not so easily obtained. In this case the appli- 
cation of hot poultices or hot baths is called for. By these 
means suppuration is promoted and induced to early break 
through in the most. favourable position—namely, the 
softened skin of the coronet. The pus so escaping is always 
more or less blood-stained, and contains both large and 
small pieces of broken down and decomposed tissue. After 
discharge of the pus, the cavity remaining should be 
mopped out with an antiseptic solution, and a pledget of 
antiseptic tow or other material left in position. All that 
is then needed is constant dressing in a suitable manner. 
We prefer in this instance washing some three or four times 
a day with hot water until a perfectly clean wound is ob- 
tained, and, after the washing, painting the raw surface 
with a strong solution (1 in 200, or 1 in 100) of perchloride 
of mercury. 
When the abscess we have described as forming is ex- 
tremely large, or where it is more than ordinarily slow in 
‘pointing,’ the likelihood of its having burrowed for some 
distance below the upper margin of the wall must be sus- 
pected, Here it is sometimes wise to thin the wall with 
the rasp immediately below the point of greatest swelling 
of the coronet. This will serve to lessen pressure on the 
sensitive structures beneath. 
Immediately the abscess contents have found exit at the 
coronet, the cavity formerly occupied by the pus should 
be explored. If to any extent it is found then to have 
‘pocketed’ beneath the upper border of the wall, a counter- 
opening should be made where the horn of the wall has 
been thinned with the rasp. 
