i 64 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
pressure which might cause pain to the tender parts below ; 
and it must be bound up, taking care to avoid pressure 
immediately beneath the crack. Neither must the shoe be 
allowed to press upon the part below. 
Should lameness proceed from the crack having pene-; 
trated through the hoof, the cure is much more difficult. 
The first thing to be done is to examine the parts, to ascer¬ 
tain whether any sand or dirt has got in and has reached 
the quick below, and the crack thoroughly cleaned out 
If proud-flesh is found in it, an application of chloride 
of antimony must be used to destroy it, and the edges 
of the crack must be considerably thinned. Some veteri¬ 
nary surgeons have used the cautery ; but this has a tendency 
to thicken the edges of the horn and render it rough, which 
is liable to irritate the tender portions below. After the 
fungus has been destroyed, it will be necessary to apply 
the iron above and below, as recommended in a superficial 
crack. A pledget of tow should be put into the crack, and 
another over it, and then firmly tied down, and not ex¬ 
amined until the third or fourth day after. If the proud- 
flesh has not been eaten away, it will be necessary to apply 
the caustic again. On the other hand, if the crack is quite 
dry and exhibits a hard horny crust, the pitch-plaster 
should be immediately applied. Bees J -wax is considered 
preferable by some, and the crack carefully filled with it. 
The wax must be applied warm ; and to fill the crack pro¬ 
perly, it is necessary to draw the heated cautery slightly 
over it. This gentle pressure will contribute to the healthy 
granulation of fresh horn, and at the same time prevent 
the access of sand or dirt, and also cold or wet, or the 
influence of the atmosphere from reaching the tender parts 
of the foot. 
The worst case of crack is caused by tread, which divides 
