The position of the crack may vary. It is commonest on the inner surface of the claw, rare at the toe, and still rarer at the quarter. It is often superficial and complete, extending throughout the entire height of the claw, but not throughout its thickness; sometimes it is complete and profound, the fissure then extending to the podophyllous tissue. =The symptoms= are purely local in the case of superficial lesions. When the injury is deep seated, or when it originates in a wound of the coronet, lameness is present. Intense lameness, swelling of the coronet, and blood-stained or purulent discharge point to grave injury and probable complications. =Diagnosis= is easy. The =prognosis= naturally varies with the symptoms. It is favourable when the fissure is merely superficial, but becomes grave when it is deep seated and the animal is exclusively used for heavy draught. =Treatment.= When the lesion is superficial and unaccompanied by lameness, no surgical interference is necessary. Rest or very light work is alone required. As soon as lameness appears, rest is obligatory. The application of antiseptic poultices, containing 2½ to 3 per cent. of carbolic acid, creolin, etc., usually alleviates pain in a short time, and facilitates healing in the depth of the fissure. In exceptional cases, where complications have occurred in consequence of suppuration beneath the fissure, suppuration in the coronary region, or necrosis of the podophyllous tissues, an operation becomes necessary, and is of exactly similar character to that performed under like circumstances in the horse. Over a space of 1 to 1½ inches on either side of the fissure the horn is thinned “to the blood,” and the subjacent dead tissue removed. The claw is then thoroughly cleansed with some antiseptic solution, the wound freely dusted with equal parts of iodoform, tannin and boric acid, and covered with pads of tow or cotton wool, fixed in position by appropriate bandages. After such operations a long rest is essential for complete recovery, during which, however, the animal may be fattened. The object of operation is to prevent complications, like chronic suppuration and necrosis, which would endanger the animal’s life, rather than to effect perfect restoration of usefulness for the work previously done. PRICKS AND STABS IN SHOEING. The wall of the ox’s claw is so thin that shoeing is always somewhat difficult, more especially as nails can only be inserted in the external wall. Moreover, as very fine nails must be used, they are apt to bend, penetrate the podophyllous tissue, and cause injuries of varying importance. The ox is often very restless when being shod, and, even though firmly fixed, usually contrives to move the foot every time the nail is struck. The farrier, therefore, may easily overlook the injury which he has just caused, and by proceeding and ignoring it may transform a simple stab into a much more dangerous wound.