SAND BATH. A quantity of sand heated by a flue, and used in the laboratory.
Sand-crack is a fissure in the hoof, which begins at the coronet, the thin edge first breaking away. It is a disease of nutri tion, the horn of the foot being secreted in dim inished quantity and impaired quality. The break, small at first, is extended until it may divide the entire hoof. It ustially occurs in the quarter, and perhaps most frequently at the inner quarter. It has been asserted that the whole dif ficulty is produced by bad shoeing. Low con dition, impure state of the blood, and lack of care are predisposing causes. In this conjuncture slight injury to the coronet may be followed by such deficient secretion of horn at that place, that the weakened part may give way and sand crack take place. If possible, the animal should be given entire freedom from work, and should be turned into a small paddock, or have a loose box, in which he may move somewhat. He should have nutritiouslood, and sufficient green food or bran mash to keep his bowels free. During the early stages of the disease, and while efforts are being made to restore the soundness of the foot, the horse is better without shoes, as the natural movements of the parts tend to restore their vitality. The har-shoes, recommend
ed by some writers, are useful only in those cases of long standing which are essentially incurable, and where the horses are to be put to slow work. The part should be interfered with as little as possible; there should be no cutting, paring, or burning; and care should be taken to keep dirt, gravel, etc., from the open sore. The healthy con dition of the open and granulating surface should be maintained hy frequent washing with soap and water, and the application of thq solution of chloride of zinc, three grains to the ounce of water. If the animal is in use, before being taken out the crack should be filled with lint saturated with the solution, which should be con fined in place by a strip or cloth completely cov ered with tar. This should be removed as soon as the horse returns, and the wound be cleansed, if it is at all foul, and carefully dressed again. If treatment is commenced early, a fair degree of expectation of recovery may be entertained; but, in many cases, through neglect or lack of proper treatment, a permanent deficiency of the hoof remains. In sucli cases, by the use of a bar shoe, properly adjusted, the anirnal may be made of some use.