386 
A. ZUNDEL. 
placed in good paved stables, with dry bedding. It is principally 
in these conditions we find the quarter-crack. During some sea¬ 
sons, while a term of dryness follows continued wet weather, the 
conditions are favorable to their formation, and they often assume 
an epizootic form. Emigration to dry climates is a frequent 
cause, by producing the contraction of the ungueal structure. 
This last circumstance explains why cracks are more common in 
army horses, which are called to go on long journeys during the 
warm days of summer. But if the European horse taken to 
Africa suffers less from the disease, a similar result occurs in the 
African horse when brought to our climate. The Arabian horse 
readily contracts quarter-cracks in our stables, and with our shoeing. 
Animals with small feet, or with hard end thick hoofs, have a 
natural predisposition, which is also found in Hungarian, Russian 
or Tartar animals. Feet excessively large are also easily affected 
with the disease, especially those which have canker or grease. 
Unskilful shoeing may predispose to cracks, and this is prin¬ 
cipally the case if the wall is thinned or rasped down too much ; 
the same result is obtained from shoes which are too wide or too 
heavy, or which are kept on by too heavy nails. 
Feet with the toes turned outwards are predisposed to it, as 
in these the weight of the body rests more on the internal quar¬ 
ter, which being thinner than the external, give way the easiest. 
Contracted feet are subject to it. Quittor, suppurative corns, and 
some other diseases are also predisposing causes. Among 
occasional or accidental causes may be mentioned traumatism, 
contusions of the foot, and blows during work. The service of 
heavy trucking for heavy horses exposes the hind feet to toe- 
crack, especially if the pulling is done in going up hill or on 
slippery pavements; mules’ feet are very subject to it, and heavy 
falls in jumping and external blows are occasional causes. 
Heridity in cracks has been mentioned. We do not admit 
this except so far as it belongs among the predisposing causes 
which may be transmitted, and we should object to an animal for 
breeding purposes, if, though otherwise well formed, he were 
affected with cracked feet. 
{To be Continued.) 
