252 CRACKED HEELS. 
why cracked heels should not speedily become a thing which has been, 
but no longer is. 
However, if animals are exposed throughout the wintry season, under 
the pretense of being placed in a straw-yard, the proprietor must expect 
to take the creatures up with some defect. The worst case of cracked 
heels the author ever looked upon, was produced after the last-men- 
tioned method; the skin was much thickened and deeply marked by fis- 
sures. In places it had sloughed, and where the integument was absent 
fearfully deep ulceration was established. Fortunately, the absorbing 
process had reached none of those important structures which are situ- 
ated about the heel of the horse; and the animal, after lengthened 
treatment, was cured. 
For cracked heels, if bad, the animal must rest, at all events till the 
parts are improved. When slight, always wash them with tepid water 
and mild soap, upon the animal’s return to the stable; dry them thoroughly 
with a soft leather; then damp them with the following :— 
Wash for Cracked Heels, 
Animal glycerin . . . . . . . . . . . Halfa pint. 
Chloride of zing. . 2 2 1 2. 1...) «Two drachms. 
Strong solution of oak-bark . . . . . . . One pint. 
Dissolve the zinc in water, then mix, and use thrice daily. 
Should sloughing and ulceration have commenced, that condition 
claims the first attention as being the most dangerous. 
Forbear all exercise while such a state exists. Throw up the animal. 
Allow it to rest in the stable. Give a few bran mashes or a little cut 
grass to open the bowels; but do not take the horse out even for exer- 
cise while such an unhealthy action is in existence. Ulceration is too 
dangerous and morbid a process not to be treated with every consider- 
ation; and it is far too irritable and painful a state not to necessitate 
perfect inaction for its relief. Apply the following to the heels :— 
Wash for Ulcerated Cracked Heels. 
Animal glycerin or phosphoric acid. . . . . Two ounces, 
Permanganate of potash or creosote . . . . Half an ounce. 
Water. . . - . . . . Three ounces. 
Mix, and apply six times daily. 
Upon the ulceration being arrested, the last prescription may be dis- 
carded, and the former recipe resorted to; with these, however, it is 
always well to attend to the constitution. A drink, each day, composed 
of liquor arsenicalis, half an ounce ; tincture of the muriate of iron, one 
ounce; water, half a pint, should be given every night. This compo- 
sition has been often recommended, but the author knows of none which 
