220 
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
Cracked Sole. 
This is a condition in which ulceration takes place in the natural 
cracks or crevices of the sole. It is a most troublesome affection 
and difficult to cure. In some cases proud flesh occurs. 
Causes. — Generally affects animals that are constantly working 
in water such as many timber animals have to do ; bad sanitation is 
another and not infrequent cause. 
Symptoms. — The affected parts appear sore ; there is often a 
nasty oozing discharge from the cracks, and in severe and neglected 
cases there may be raw fungus-like growths. Some animals suffer so 
much pain that they are disabled. 
Treafinent. — In this affection cleanliness and keeping the feet 
dry are all-important. While the animal is down, poultices may be 
applied ; bran sprinkled with phenyle, or carbolic acid lotion, 
or bran and powdered charcoal poultices are useful [see page 136). 
When the feet are cleaned, they may be washed with some mild 
disinfectant ; then dried and some dry dressing, as equal parts of 
boracic acid, oxide of zinc and iodoform, should be employed. A 
pad of tow should now be applied, then a bandage and over all a 
gunny-bag to keep the tow in place. The foot should then be 
enveloped in a leather boot, or a boot with wooden sole and leather 
upper. If there is any tendency to proud flesh, it should be kept 
down with blue-stone or some other caustic. 
An excellent ointment for use in this ailment, and also for nasty 
ill-conditioned sores about the feet, etc., is made as follows : — 
Powdered alum ... ... i dr. 
Subacetate of copper ... i dr. 
Strong acetic acid ... ... § dr. 
Vaseline ... ... ... i oz. 
Melt the vaseline, then add the alum and copper and stir well ; 
when almost cold, stir in the acid. 
The following dressing may also be tried : — 
Sulphate of copper ... ... i part. 
Tar ... ... ... 8 parts. 
Mix and heat together over a slow fire. 
Dry calomel may be introduced into the cracks, or a small 
quantity of burnt alum. The following recommended by Tuson also 
makes a convenient dressing : — 
Tar ... ... ... 2 parts. 
Soft-soap ... ... ... I part. 
Linseed meal sufficient to impart tenacity to the mixture. 
