On crackt-hoof and its cure / [Bracy Clark].

  • Bracy Clark
Date:
[1834]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On crackt-hoof and its cure / [Bracy Clark]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    A most beautiful provision of nature that as far as I know has not before been noticed, takes place on the removal of the horn of the hoof and exposure of the parts beneath, which will then swell up and become tumid, and assume the appearance of a fungus, sometimes dry, and at others oozing out a sort of milky serum if neglected. This swelled part appears to be the reticulum chiefly and the podophylla, which in thus rising, often meet the edges of the surrounding horn, and the laxity of the parts appears to prevent a ready healing of the sore, but if pressure be applied to this fungoid appearance it is partially reduced to its natural dimensions, and then a healthy secretion of horn soon covers it, but if the edges of it any where meet the old horn, or that they are not brought as nearly as may be into the same state of thinness, they will not unite kindly, for this effect it is necessary at times as in old cases to reduce the old horn to a soft flexible state all round the sore. In recent cases after the fungoid reticulum has extended itself it will quickly cover with a thin coat of horn, sufficient to keep down the rising fungus, and confine it within due bounds, and by a little preparation of the old horn they may be made readily to unite, and the horn from the cutidura coming down of its full depth and force from the coronet will carry every thing out before it, and renew the hoof entire. It appears therefore that this singular mode of procedure in these parts by swelling, prevents, in a wonderful manner any pinching or severe compression which would have taken place had the new horn formed at once on these tender parts unenlarged, and have subjected them to restraint and irritation, but by this means room is obtained, and this effect is ob- viated. Perhaps, the reticulum is constantly exerting some degree of elastic force against the inclosing horn, at least it evidently assumes this action when exposed, and perhaps, espe- cially when inflamed, thus usefully creating full room and a freedom from restraint during the new growth. The first shoe that is put on after, or during the cure, should have a vacuity made in its upper bearing surface, opposite the quarter diseased, that no pressure should take place there, or near it, to incommode the cartilage. In this way these dreadful cases may be in a general way cured, and without very much suffering; in the last age they were often deemed perfectly incurable, and, indeed, in many parts of England they are so considered at this day.
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