FIG. 54.—SWAB FOR APPLYING MOISTURE TO THE FOOT.
Where a dressing is relied upon by some practitioners on account of the warmth it gives, others, even in identical cases, will depend upon the effects of cold. This may be applied by means of what are called 'swabs.' In their simplest form swabs may consist only of hay-bands or several layers of thick bandage bound round the foot and coronet, and kept cool by having water constantly poured upon them. In many cases the form of swab depicted in Fig. 54 will be found more convenient.
When only one foot is required to be dressed, and a water-supply is available, by far the preferable method is to attach one end of a length of rubber tubing to the water-tap, and fasten the other just above the coronet, allowing the water to trickle slowly over the foot. In cases where a forced water-supply is unobtainable, and the case warrants the extra trouble, much may be done with a medium-sized cask of water placed somewhere over the animal, and the rubber tubing connected with that.
Where the dressing is desired to be kept applied to the sole and frog only, there is no method more satisfactory than the shoe with plates.
FIG. 55.—THE SHOE WITH PLATES. A, The plates in position; B, the plates separated from the shoe.