58 THE CANADIAN HORSE ' ' 



Professor Dick recommends to " leave a strong nail at each . 

 heel, rough, and turned down, and take some wire and twist 

 it round them." This is a very simple and very convenient 

 plan. When the sound horn begins to come down, the 

 patient may be turned to pasture with the foot bandaged,; 

 and in a few months the crack will have grown completely 

 out. The hoof should be kept soft by stopping, and fre- 

 quent applications of tar or hoof ointment. 



THEUSU. 



" Thrush," says the author of " The Horse," " is inflam- 

 mation of the lower structures of the sensible frog, during 

 which pus is secreted with or instead of horn." It is most 

 common in the hind-feet, and alst) occurs in the fore. It 

 occurs at all ages, and is frequently seen in the colt running 

 in the straw-yard, arising from the acrid moisture of urine, 

 dung, &c., softening and corroding the frog, and extending 

 to the sensible structures above. It is also seen in roadsters 

 whose feet are not exposed to acrid moisture. In them it is 

 caused by contraction, or the insinuation of sand and dirt 

 into the cleft of the frog, producing irritation, followed by 

 suppuration of the sensitive frog, causing it to secrete un- 

 healthy horn, and discharge ofiensive matter. 



It may sometimes be constitutional, as we often observe it 

 appear just as the coat is being changed, and other constitu- 

 tional changes are taking place in the system. 



Symptoms. — There is seldom much lameness, unless the 

 animal steps on a stone, or sand or gravel gets into the cleft ; 

 but it is always attended by a tender, gingery action. The 

 cleft of. the frog is deeper than in health, and a thin acrid 

 discharge oozes from its sides and bottom, emitting a char- 

 acteristic and foetid • odour. If not checked, it extends, and 

 the frog becomes loose and ragged ; scales fall off in layers,. 



