WATER AND POULTICE BOOTS. 
401 
required for the application of a poultice, a linen drill top 
is only necessary ; but when required for a continued appli¬ 
cation of cold or warm water, it is necessary to have two or 
three thicknesses of Bath-coating sewed together, and cut of 
a proper form for the top. In order that the whole foot may 
be subjected to moisture, a bottom consisting of two or three 
pieces of this cloth are sewed together, of the exact form 
and size required. The top must be soaked in water, and 
this will naturally descend to the bottom of the boot, where 
it is absorbed by the doubles of cloth. To keep the boot 
duly moist, it would be proper to dip the foot with the 
boot on into a pail of w&ter occasionally through the day, 
and immediately before shutting the stable for the night. 
In this way the cooling moisture may be kept up for any 
length of time. 
However, long-continued moisture has a tendency to de¬ 
stroy the texture of the frog, as well as the tough elastic 
property of the hoofs. To obviate this, two days in each 
week should be appropriated to keeping the boots off, and 
an unguent of tar applied to the surface of the foot, which 
should be well rubbed in with the hand. This will com¬ 
pletely saturate the horn, and prevent that crumbly ten¬ 
dency which manifests itself when the foot is long kept 
moist. During this time the horse should have a well-sup¬ 
plied bed of litter to prevent injury to the hoof. 
If during the two days on which the boots have been 
removed the animal paws with his foot, it is very liable to 
sustain injury ; to prevent this, the use of a rope-boot will 
be necessary. See plate xi. fig. 8. These boots of the best 
construction can be obtained at Mr. Thompson’s, No. 185. 
Regent-street, London. They are the invention of Mr. Joseph 
Goodwin, Veterinary Surgeon to George IV. 
