TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 361 
dogs fragments of bones are frequently found arrested in the 
rectum, causing obstruction and death. 
A SUBSTANCE TO SUPPLY THE PARTIAL LOSS OF HOOF. 
By F. M. Defays. 
Accidental breaches and loss of hoof in the horse 
being not only unsightly, but also causes which render 
shoeing unsafe, and prevent the horse from doing his usual 
work, M. Defays has endeavoured to discover a substance 
that will not only conceal these defects, but be of such soli¬ 
dity as to bear the nailing on of the shoe, and of such con¬ 
sistency that it can be moulded into shape so as to be easily 
applied to the parts, while at the same time it will not be affec¬ 
ted by exposure to moisure. Of all the substances the author 
experimented with, gutta-percha was the only one which 
offered any chance of success. When the fabrication of 
gutta-percha soles was introduced, the author conceived the 
idea that means similar to those employed to fix them to boots 
and shoes would be equally efficacious for the purpose of attach¬ 
ing the material to the horse’s hoof, but the experiments 
proved a failure, although he was assisted by M. Ledrovv, a 
celebrated manufacturer of boots and shoes. Notwithstanding 
all the care and trouble they took they could not obtain the 
slightest adherence between the substance and the hoof. 
After several failures, it was found that an admixture of 
gutta-percha and gum ammoniac offered some chance of 
success. Two parts of gutta percha with one part of gum 
ammoniac, melted together over a slow fire, and well incor¬ 
porated by frequent stirring, was found an excellent agent 
for the required purpose. 
To apply it, the hoof should be perfectly dry and free from 
grease. The composition, after being warmed, is to be ap¬ 
plied with a spatula, and smoothed over by a heated piece of 
iron. 
M. Defays adduces several instances in which this sub¬ 
stance has been applied to horses, which have been able to 
work when they otherwise could not have done. 
