SANDCRACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 16

SANDCRACK.

Sandcracks commence either from the top or the bottom of the crust. When from the top the coronary band is often Involved, and 'Jiere is pain and lameness, perhaps seme escape of blood and msinua iion of dust before the patient reaches home, if the accident has occurred on the rood, as it commonly does. As the outer and denser portion ia secreted by the coronet, it follows that a orack extending into it is .more serious than one commencing fiem below, as when age in healed thore is a cicatrix or small seam, on the band, from which perfeet horn, -will not be secreted. Move extensive injuries to the horn-pro-ducing 1 tubes, such as result from treads

and the use of powerful caustics in the treatment of quit-tor, lead to what is known as fake quarter, and consists in a permanent breach, imperfectly cemented by material that, is not true crust any more than a year in one's integument is true skin. Treatment should be adopted directly a rift occurs in tin© hoof, as it is always disposed to enlarge. Ae sandoracks vaa-y from the anere splitting of a few superficial fibres to deep breaches extending right through the crust, it will be obvious that different measures may be taken., and slight cases treated while at work. —Diagrams Explainedi.— The diagram .No. 1 is intended to illustrate a breach firom. the bottom, which can be restrained by clip 3 suo has Figs. 2 and 3. The lines above are with a firing-iron with the object of diverting con cussion, as with Fig. 4, where the precaution is taken of cutting out a creseentshaped portion of crust at the bottom. The lines in that diagram axe drawn below to -prevent extension of the crack, and in the shape of the letter V on each side, thus diverting concussion from, the Buffering section of the coronet to the sound parts.

Fig. 5 shows a simple device whereby an ordinary shoenail is made to serve the purpose of closing? the crack, and Fig. 6 shows how a rift may eoimetimes occur in the median portion of tne wall and can be drawn together by the screw clip. Fig 7 is intended to represent a wedge of hardwood bevelled to fit in a groove made in the sides after a bad sandorack has been clearly out out and prepared for thi« artificial means of keeping tho foot from shrinking. It, has begun to grow down from the top (Fig. 8), and a.* the horn grows the wedge is shortened below. Unless a wound exists at the top of the hoof (coronal band) it is usually considered' good treatment to apply a blister or repeated stimulations' by liniments in order to promote secretion of fresh horn. The effect is soon visible in a ring of a new material, which eventually reaches the ground surface. Where one orack occurs it is generally considered that the whole coronary band should be submitted to the stimulation in order to strengthen the entire crust, no more time being needed than for growth from one point. The town horse may benefit by being turned out to grass, but oraoka occuring in weak hoofs of loose textuir© will not be helped by being always wet.— Harold Leoney, M.R.0.V.5., in the English Agricultural Gazette.