448 
moorcroft’s letters. 
Letter II. 
From Mr. Moorcroft to Captain Codrington. 
Oxford Street, Jan. 23, 1804. 
Dear Sir, — From the account you have given of the accident in 
your mare’s foot, I fear there is some danger of the crack remain- 
ing, and constituting what in term of farriery is called a false 
quarter. To prevent this, you must do all in your power to pro- 
mote an even growth of new horn from the coronet. If by the 
over-reach any portion of this (the coronet) quite through the skin 
shall have been destroyed, you must always count upon an irre- 
gular growth of horn, and all your endeavours to the contrary will 
prove of no avail. I will lay you down briefly some general 
principles for your guidance in this business, although, in fact, 
you have paid so much attention to affairs of this nature, that I 
think you do not stand in need of my assistance. The first point 
is to take away the edges of the crack till there is no hollow left ; 
but no blood must be drawn. Then you must apply some tow, 
firmly rolled and dipped in the ointment you spoke of, upon the 
pared surface, and tie it on with two or three turns of tape. The 
pressure will prevent any rising from within the foot, should you 
be under the necessity of cutting the wall, and can do no harm. 
Put on a bar- shoe, lying off the lower part of the crust imme- 
diately below the crack. In your next, pray sketch the profile of 
the foot, with the direction and extent of the crack. 
I must immediately leave town for Peterborough ; and as I wish 
to write particularly on your new case, I beg you to suspend any 
particular treatment till I write again, which will be immediately 
on my return. 
I am, dear Sir, 
Respectfully and obediently yours, 
William Moorcroft. 
*** I do not know Fozard’s horse, — only just saw him to- 
day. The ointment will be sent to-day. 
