, means are to be adopted which
will prevent it from growing longer or deeper; this can only be done by
arresting all motion in the edges. The best and simplest artificial
appliance for holding the borders of a toe crack together is the
Vachette clasp. These clasps and the instruments necessary for their
application can be had of any prominent maker of veterinary instruments.
(Pl. XXXVI.) These instruments comprise a cautery iron, with which two
notches are burned in the wall, one on each side of the crack, and
forceps with which the clasps are closed into place in the bottom of the
notches and the edges of the fissure brought close together. The clasps,
being made of stiff steel wire, are strong enough to prevent all motion
in the borders of the crack. Before these clasps are applied the fissure
should be thoroughly cleansed and dried, and if the injury is of recent
origin the crack may be filled with a putty made of 2 parts of
gutta-percha and 1 part of gum ammoniac. The number of clasps to be used
is to be determined by the length of the crack, the amount of motion to
be arrested, etc. Generally the clasps are from one-half to
three-quarters of an inch apart. The clasps answer equally as well in
quarter crack if the wall is sufficiently thick and not too dry and
brittle to withstand the strain.

In the absence of these instruments and clasps a hole may be drilled
through the horn across the fissure and the crack closed with a thin
nail made of tough iron, neatly clinched at both ends. A plate of steel
or brass is sometimes fitted to the parts and fastened on with short
screws; while this appliance may prevent much gaping of the fissure, it
does not entirely arrest motion of the edges, for the reason that the
plate and screw can not be rendered immobile.

If, for any reason, the measures above fail or can not be used, recourse
must be had to an operation. The horn is softened by the use of warm
baths and poultices, the patient cast, and the walls of the fissure
entirely removed with the knife. The horn removed is in the shape of the
letter V, with the base at the coronet. Care must be taken not to injure
the coronary band and the laminae. The wound is to be treated with mild
stimulant dressings, such as compound cresol solution, a weak solution
of carbolic acid, tincture of aloes, etc., oakum balls, and a roller
bandage. After a few days the wound will be covered with a new, white
horn, and only the oakum and bandage