American Veterinary Review, 
JUNE, 1882. 
ORIGINAL ARTICLES. 
THE HORSE’S FOOT. 
By A. Zundel. 
(Con tinned from page 47.) 
contracted heels—hoof-bound.— Continued. 
YI. Treatment. —Prophylaxy plays an important part in the 
treatment of this disease. It is easier, and especially more rational, 
to prevent than to cure it when once established. 
One of the first indications is to prevent the drying of the 
hoof, to effect which baths and poultices have been commonly 
used—the latter formed of cow manure, of clay, etc.—or by the 
application of greasy substances, in order to diminish the evapora¬ 
tion of the water of the hoof. Some practitioners are accustomed 
to use tar and various hoof ointments. The number of prepara¬ 
tions brought into use is considerable, and in respect to some of 
these, the secret of which has been kept by the inventors, the 
effects have been entirely different, and the hoof, instead of pre¬ 
serving its natural good condition, has been altered in its qualities. 
“ It is not with ointment,” says Hartmann, “ that the hoof injured 
by the blacksmith can be repaired. It is by good shoeing, and 
never otherwise. The workman, to excuse himself, attributes to 
the quality of the hoof the origin of the mischief he has done.” 
Hoof ointment never gives to the hoof its natural polish, but 
many ointments, by becoming rancid, take off that which the 
blacksmith has left. The irritating ingredients which compose 
