178 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



trude into it. These granulations should not be interfered with ; 

 as they will subside with the inflammation on the removal of the 

 cause of the irritation. In the treatment of the inflamed tissues 

 within the fissure, nothing further need be done than keeping the 

 part clean and covering it over with tannoform or iodoform. 



After the inflammation has gone down, or if it has not mani- ' 

 fested itself to any marked extent, proceed to the direct treatment 

 of the injury in the horn, which may be considered under two 

 conditions : (1) When the crack does not extend up to the coronet; 

 (2) when it reaches that part. In the first case cut a groove witli 

 the searcher, about an inch long, across the upper extremity of the 

 fissure and parallel to the coronet, so as to protect the part from 

 the effects of concussion, and allow the horn to grow down intact. 

 The groove sliould be made as deep as possible, without injuring 

 the sensitive parts : an accident which would usually be manifested 

 by the appearance of blood. Another and similar groove may be 

 made at the lower extremity of the crack, in order to prevent 

 motion between the divided edges, and also to stop the fissure from 

 invading tlie sound horn below. If these means are not sufficient 

 to save the sensitive parts from becoming pinched between the 

 edges of the crack, apply clasps — as will be explained further on — 

 to keep the edges together, and also to prevent the lodgment of 

 grit and dirt. Or the crack may be opened out with a fine 

 searcher, and keep the grooves which are made constantly filled 

 with some adhesive mixture, such as that mentioned on page 202, 

 or suet and beeswax, in proportions suitable to the climate. Apply 

 lanoline (p. 204) to preserve and increase the cohesion of the fibres 

 of the wall, one with another. The coronet should be stimulated 

 to secrete stronger horn by rubbing into it, every second day or 

 so, a little weak cantharides ointment, say 1 to 24 of lard. A bar 

 shoe — with a bar across the centre (Fig. 51), so as to give frog 

 pressure ; or heart-shaped (Fig. 52) if the animal is required to go 

 beyond a walk — may be applied; the sole and wall immediately 

 below the crack having been previously eased off to avoid pressure. 

 The disadvantages of the ordinary bar shoe (Fig. 53) are that it 

 does not put pressure on tlie frog, and is liable to get caught by 

 the hind shoe. The shoe should be moderately stout, so as to 

 lessen the effects of concussion. With sandorack at the toe of the 

 liind foot, a shoe with side-clips, like those used for hunting, may 

 be employed. 



When the crack extends to the coronet, or when it goes too close 

 to it to allow a groove being made at the upper extremity of the 

 fissure, I would advise the adoption of the method known among 

 French veterinary surgeons as U proeed^. Castandet. It is per- 

 formed as follows (Fig. 54) :— Commencing "lat the coronet, about 



