AND HIS DISEASES. 57 



tire thickness of the drust, but it must not be overlooked on 

 that account ; for the insinuation of sand and dirt, the in- 

 creasing tendency to disunite on any sudden overstress of the 

 foot, may change it from a comparatively harmless crack to 

 a very serious fissure. Frequently, however, it extends to 

 the quick, v^hen lameness is a prominent symptom. By the 

 opening and closing of the fissure at every step causing in- 

 tense pain, the sensitive laminae become inflamed, and fun- 

 gus growths are apt to fill up the crack, attended vpith a 

 slight discharge. 



Treatment. — In cases where the division is complete, the 

 animal must be kept ofi' work, the shoe should be removed, 

 and the crust cut down at the quarter, to remove all pres- 

 sure off the part. A bar-shoe is best adapted for these cases. 

 The edges of the crack must then be thinned to the quick 

 for half an inch on each side ; if much inflamed, apply a 

 poultice for a day or two. The firing-iron should then be 

 run across the crack at the coronet, deep enough to separate 

 the crack from the sound coronet. It should also be applied 

 in the same way a little below, to prevent it extending down* 

 ward, and interrupting the opefling tendency. The fungus 

 should then be dressed with butter of antimony, or, what is 

 better, calomel should be freely dusted over, and a pledget 

 of dry tow laid over the fissure, and bound on with coarse 

 tape, strong cord, or wire, thickly covered over with tar or 

 pitch. It is seldom necessary to remove this, unless it be- 

 comes painful, when it must be removed to let the matter 

 escape, and then bound up again. 



Different methods are employed for bringing the edges of 

 the crack togetlier. Some recommend to drive one or two 

 fine nails transversely across the fissure, which plan, when 

 the hoof is thick enough to admit of it being done, holds it 

 firmly in situ. 



