OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS. 
283 
SandcracJc . 
Sandcrack will most probably fall under our notice at 
this part of the examination. It is usual to push back 
the hair at the coronet when the foot is being held up so 
as to have a good view of the origin of disease. Separation 
of the fibres generally commences at the superior portion of 
the hoof, and proceeds towards the inferior part. It is either 
a very trifling ailment or a troublesome one, depending upon 
the nature of the lesion ; the crust at the superior part of the 
quarter being exceedingly thin, is frequently ruptured, which 
will often cause lameness, as the sensitive parts are implicated 
and exposed to the annoyances of dirt and other causes 
together with concussion produced by almost all ordinary 
shoes, when a separation of the fibres takes place midway, or 
commences at the inferior part of the crust. As a general rule, 
true sandcrack may be prevented by ordinary care. If the 
fissure should make its way towards the upper half it will not 
occasion inconvenience or lameness unless both tables of horn 
have suffered • separation . Brittle and shelly horn will be more 
liable to sandcrack than horn of a tough and healthy descrip¬ 
tion ; indeed, it may be questioned whether healthy horn is 
ever found with sandcrack in it. If we could at all times 
learn the true state of the parts for some time prior to the 
appearance of the crack, I make no doubt we should be able 
to detect much feverish heat in the foot. Professor Spooner, 
in his lectures, stated that “ it is not usual to find it in circular 
feet ; it is almost always found under the centre of gravity, 
&c. If the crack has grown out, or nearly so, from above 
downwards, I should say, it would be of no consequence. 
It may be, however, an hereditary predisposition, and it 
may be produced again from any predisposing cause.” 
Again. “ It is found always in an altered state of the 
fibres.” I can bear testimony to the truthfulness of these 
remarks, and am glad to have availed myself of the notes 
taken at the learned professor’s lectures. When the crack 
continues so as to reach the sensitive parts, it will invariably 
produce lameness. Under any circumstances, unsoundness 
is the result of sandcrack. 
False Quarter. 
False quarter is generally the sequel of quittor, although 
an injury to the coronary substance may, and does sometimes, 
produce it. False quarter cannot be cured by any means; 
when once established it remains as long as the life of the 
animal lasts; it, therefore, must of necessity be considered 
an unsoundness. 
[To be continued.) 
