SIMPLE AILMENTS 299 



is in a state of perspiration. Other causes, upsetting the 

 stomach, will also cause local irritation of the skin, but a 

 sudden check to the action of the skin is the most usual 

 reason. 



If the spots become irritable or sore they may be treated 

 with — 



Glycerine 1 part 



Water 15 to 20 parts 



or some Zinc Ointment applied. 



Also should be given — 



Epsom Salts 2 oz. 



Common Salt ... ... ... ... ... ^ ,, 



in a mash for two or three nights, or — 



Sulphate of Magnesia powders in the drinking-water 

 for four days. 



As soon as the powders have been finished give — 



Liquor Arsenicalis ... ... ... ... 30 drops 



twice a day for ten days or a fortnight, which speedily effect 

 a cure in almost every case if taken in hand at once. 



A predisposing cause of mud-fever is the practice of 

 washing the legs on returning to the stable, especially if 

 warm water is used, and then leaving them only half-dried ; 

 particularly is this the case if the washing is done outside 

 the stable door and the animal is kept there until the wash- 

 ing is complete. The horse ought to be taken at once into 

 the stable, the legs rubbed down with a wisp of straw to 

 take the bulk of the mud off, and then bandaged and left 

 till the next morning, when the dried mud will easily brush 

 off. If, from the circumstances of the case, it is probable 

 that the animal may have received a chill from exposure, 

 the horse should be warmly clothed, without any elaborate 

 dressing, and have half a bucket of gruel with a couple of 

 glasses of whisky or a pint of ale in it, and then be supplied 



