440 
A. ZUJMDEL. 
must be prevented from taking up too much of the dampness of 
the ground upon which it travels, as well as from losing that 
which keeps up its flexibility. At times it must be rendered 
more moist and, according to the requirements of the case, re¬ 
course must be had to hoof ointments and other greasy sub¬ 
stances, glycerine, and astringent poultices. At the same time 
the shoeing must be carefully attended to; the shoe must not be 
too heavy nor too wide, and should be secured by nails of a prop¬ 
er size. 
The hygienic treatment has for its first and principal indica¬ 
tions to prevent the solution of continuity from increasing, from 
extending through healthy structure, and especially to new hoof, 
as this is secreted by the coronary band. The borders of the 
cracks must, therefore, be prevented from separating in t' e move¬ 
ments of dilatation of the foot. The normal suture of the wall 
not being produced by the natural process, or at least, producing 
it only in keraphyllocele, which is likely to be as injurious as 
the crack itself, the borders of the crack must be brought together 
artificially. 
It has been supposed that this could be done with the putty of 
Defay’s, a mixture of gutta percha (2 parts) and gum ammoniac 
(1 part), introduced into the well-cleaned fissure in a solution, and 
pushed in as deeply as possible by a warm iron plate or a spatula. 
This putty is excellent for superficial cracks, but is insffiucient to 
bring the borders together when the fissure is somewhat deep, or 
especially if it is irregular and sinuous. 
A better way, at least for toe crack, is that which consists 
in suturing the edges of the solution of continuity by metal¬ 
lic clasps, which immobilize the hoof. This mode is al¬ 
ways preferable to circular ligatures of wire or cord, which have 
the effect of interfering with the natural elasticity of the hoof. 
Clasps only fix the hoof locally, and are an old means of treat¬ 
ment, having been used by Solleysel and Garsault. 
It was advised to perforate the horn through and through, with 
a small punch, and pass a wire, which was bent over the crack, 
or twisted together at the ends. The same authority recommends 
the driving of a nail through both edges, and securing it tightly, 
as in the application of the nails of the shoe. This treatment was 
