342 Journal of Agriculture. [8 June, 1908. 



cracks or crevices more or less severe, from which a serous fluid oozes, and 

 dries as a scab or scurf on the borders of tlie cracks. This scurf, if 

 allowed to- accumulate, acts as a continual source of irritation, and prevents 

 tne crack from heahng. 



Causes. — Coarse-haired and beefv-heeled horses have a constitutional 

 tendency to this and allied affections, and their heels are always somewhat 

 of a trouble to their owners. Another predisposing cause may be found in 

 errors of diet — the use of mouldy or mustv hay. Hard-feeding, too, with- 

 out exercise, will cause a congestion of the skin of the heels which only 

 needs the excitmg cause of a little dirt, urine, or other irritating agent, to 

 develop into cracked heels. Sometimes cracked heels are caused by the 

 chafing of a tether rope or the ropes used in casting for operations. By far 

 the most common cause, however, is the practice so much in favour with 

 grooms ot washing horses' legs. It is not so much the washing either, as 

 the neglect to thoroughly dry the legs afterwards. Except a good reaction 

 is caused by drying with sponge and towel and hand-rubbing or bandaging, 

 the skin of the heels, especially the hind ones, being so far removed from 

 the centre of circulation, becomes cold and chilled, and slightly swollen and 

 tender. On exercise the swollen skin bursts, as it were, and the cracks 

 thus formed at the parts where the skin is most flexed; viz., in the niches 

 at the back of the pastern. Another evil attendant upon washing is the use 

 of soft soap, the lather of which, in addition to being difficult to wash off, 

 is extremely irritating. Soft soap is made from potash, which is infinitely 

 more caustic than soda, the basis of hard soap, so that hard soap only 

 should be used. Equally essential is it that the heels should be rubbed 

 thoroughly dry. On account of the great prevalence of cracked heels in 

 white-legged horses, it has been contended that white skin is weaker and 

 more easily inflamed than colored (pigmented) skin. It is more reasonable 

 to assume, however, that this prevalence of cracked heels on white legs is 

 the result of neglect after washing. For the sake of cleanliness and 

 appearance, white legs are washed more often. They are thus more 

 frequently exposed to the most common exciting cause. 



Treatment. — The object to be aimed at is the abatement of the irrita- 

 tion, and for this purpose the scab or exudate which forms round the cracks 

 should be removed with the fingers as often as it forms. An emollient or 

 softening and healing ointment should be applied, not only after the day's 

 work is over, but also before the horse starts his day's work in the morning. 

 Lead liniment (Goulard's extract one part, olive oil eight parts) is a good 

 application. Ordinary zinc ointment will relieve the irritable condition of 

 the skin, and promote healing of the cracks. Zinc ointment with iodoform 

 (one part to eight) is even better and more likely to effect a cure than 

 most other agents, provided its use is combined with the recommendations 

 before stated for prevention. When the cracked surface is raw or when 

 the weeping is excessive some dry wound dressing should be applied (see 

 page 156) and it is a good plan to alternate zinc oxide powder with an 

 emollient ointment according as the cracks are moist or scabby. Stocking 

 of the legs by hard feeding and want of exercise should be avoided. 



Grease (Pustular Eczema). 



Grease is an exaggerated condition of cracked heels extending beyond 

 the hollow of the pastern and perhaps invading the skin as high as the 

 knees and hocks or even above. 



