New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-04-11

caused by tho animal standing on its
toe, or removing the weight from the
entire foot. When the foot is planted
on the ground and the weight thrown
upon 1t, the soft parts descending with
IN the hoof tend TO press it outward,
and as a matter of fact the hoof does
actually expand ut the upper part, next
the hair, and thus the natural tendency
of the unused elastic horn to contract is
to great extent counteracted. Disease
contraction, and in all cases of contract
ed feet it is well first to look for some
existing disease, such as corns, bruises,
pricks, and. other wounds. graycliny,
thrush, Inflammation from uneven bear
ing Of the shoe. from the nails being
drawn up too tight, from nAvicular dis
ease, from ringbone affecting the second
or third phalanx, and SO on.
Apart from any disease sufficient to
cause lameness, contraction of the feet
sometimes goes on to an extreme de-
gree, until, indeed, one heel may meet
the other; yet lameness is not Induced
Yet, If contraction takes place with rap
idity, as under the influence of long
period Of rainlcss weather following q
wet spring. the compression of the soft
parts by the drying and shrinking horn
will cause inflammation and lamcness
Contraction caused in this way may
be countcractcd and corrected by meas
ures calculated to soften and expand
the horn, followed by such us will re-
tain its natural moisture and give pro-
per bearing on the shoe. To soften the
contracted foot, keep the unshod animal
standing every day for sixteen hours in
stream OF water coming up to the
hair around the top Of the hoof, or in a
soft muck Of clay puddle closing in
around the foot to the same level. In
frosty weather d warm poultice placed
in strong bag drawn over the foot is
preferable. the more so that it can be
kept applied night and day. At the
end Of a fortnight the foot will usually be
found to have expanded to its natural
dimensions.
If there is much lamencss, it will be
desirable to apply blister on the front
and sides of the pastern during the
period Of poulticing. This may be re-
peated and the poulticing continued. il
lameness remains ut the end Of fort
night. As blister the following may
be rubbed into the skin on the front and
sides of the pastern: Powdered canthari-
des, one-half drachm; oil of lavender,
ten drops; olive oil, one ounce. 1t may
be repeated the second day if heat and
tenderness have not been induced by
the first application, and also rs soon rs
the effects Of the first application have
passed off and the resulting scabs have
dropped of. When lamencss has dis
appeared, and the foot has been snf1ici-
entity expanded, it should be dressed
carefully, going the same height to the
wall at all corresponding points on the
inner and outer sides, and pairing heel
and toe in proper ratio with each other,
the sole being left as far as possible to
come to4the heel with the hoof wall ut
I'LL points, and furnish with it surface
of bearing for the shoe.
The shoe should be perfectly loose
and smooth, and when applied should
press evenly at all points. 1t should be
drawn only moderately tight, and on
giving its final dressing the use of the
file should be as far rs possible avoided.
The horn is formed Of y series of pus
tubes with an intertnblar cellular struc-
ture, and when the rasp or file is used
SO as to expose the open ends Of these
tubules the contained moisture exhaIes
the horn withcrs, and the soft parts may
be injuriously pressed upon. For this
reason the use Of the tile on the front Ol
the hoof is to hc severely deprecated. 1t
should only be used on the lower edge.
Of the hoof wall, where it projects over
the shoe, and when the sharp edges
might otherwise split up. For a similar
reason. the sole should never be pared
down into the tough elastic horn,
though all scalv masses on the, surface
may be safely removed. After shaving,
the use of hoof ointment will serve to
prevent evaporation and drying, and is
absolutely ncedful after the foot has
been softened by poulticing. A mixture
Of equal parts of wood tar and sweet oil
will answer admirably. This brushed
daily over the entire surface of the horn
wall, sole. and frog will usually pre-
serve sufficiency OF moisture and the
natural elasticity and toughncss Of The
horn. -P,pt. j. Lac. IN Irish Farmer )
GN.tnc.