186 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
work the horse, then it should be taken out every morning 
and a new one applied after the labour of the day. Should 
the frog be much exposed, besides the pledget which is to 
be put into the crack, a larger piece of tow should be spread 
over with the above liniment, and applied over the whole 
exposed surface. Care must be taken not to force the 
pledget too hard into the cleft to press upon the tender 
part below, and during the treatment recommended it will 
be proper to keep the frog moist. This will be best effected 
by filling the cavity of the under surface of the foot with 
tow, covered by common stopping, or by placing on a felt 
pad, covered by the same material. 
In cases of thrush the feet should be kept dry; and, 
contrary to the practice of some, who recommend turning 
out to grass with this complaint, we prefer keeping the 
animal in the stable until a cure is effected. 
OSSIFICATION OF THE CARTILAGES. 
These cartilages occupy a considerable portion of the 
back part and side of the foot, as represented on plate vii., 
fig. 7, h. Their use is to preserve the expansion of the 
upper portion of the foot; they also sustain those parts 
when they are either limited or destroyed by shoeing. They 
are liable to inflammatory attacks, which induce absorption 
in them, and bonj matter is exuded in their stead. This 
ossified condition of the cartilages is frequently connected 
with ring-bone, but it often exists without any affection of 
the pastern-joint. Horses that are subjected to heavy 
draughts are most liable to this complaint, which no doubt 
originates in a sprain rather than concussion. But the 
real cause is not well understood, although many are 
the instances of draught-horses being affected with this 
complaint. 
