#76 THE HORSE. 



Horses taken from grass and brought into close stables very speedily 

 have swcUed-legs, because the difference of food, and increase of nutri- 

 ment, rapidly increase the quantity of the circulating fluid ; while the want 

 of exercise takes away the means by which it might be got rid of. The 

 remedy here needs not to be stated. Swelled-legs, however, may proceed 

 from general debility ; they may be the consequence of starvation, or Dis- 

 ease that has considerably weakened the animal ; and these parts, being 

 farthest from the centre of circulation, are the first to show the loss of power 

 by the accumulation of fluid in them. Here the means of cure would be 

 to increase the general strength, with which the extremities would sympa- 

 tiiize, and mild diuretics and tonics are evidently indicated. 



Horses in the spring and fall are subject to swelled-legs. The powers o( 

 the constitution are principally employed in providing a new coat for tha 

 animal, and the extremities have not their share of vital influence. Mingled 

 cordials and diuretics are indicated here ; the diuretic to lessen the quantity 

 of the circulating flood ; the cordial to invigorate the frame and restore the 

 tone of the stomach. 



Swelled-legs are most teasing in horses that are in tolerable or good 

 health, but whose work is somewhat irregular. The pleasure-horse and 

 the hunter are frequent subjects of this complaint. The cure is to give 

 more equable exercise; to walk the horse out daily when the usual work id 

 not required, and by some mechanical means to supply to the extremities the 

 want of motion of the parts, and the consequent urging on of the return 

 of the fluid. Friction, by hand-rubbing, is an excellent means of fining 

 the legs, at least for a time. Bandages have a greater and more durable 

 eilect, for nothing tends more to support the capillary veins, and rouse the 

 action of the absorbents, than moderate pressure. Hay-bands will form a 

 very good bandage for the agricultural horse, and their effect will probably 

 be increased by previously dipping them in water. As to medicines, we 

 have little to say : the fewer of them that are given in these cases the better. 

 The diuretic, or urine-ball, the constant resource of the idle groom or 

 carter, is particularly objectionable. Its frequent and undue stimulus of , 

 the urinary organs will be followed by speedy, and often incurable debility. 

 If the swelling bids defiance to exercise, and friction, and bandage, the aid 

 of the diuretic may be resorted to, but never until these have failed, unless 

 there be an evident tendency to grease or humour. 



GREASE. 



Swelled-legs, although distinct from Grease, are apt to degenerate into it. 

 This disease, therefore, comes next under our consideration. It is aji 

 inflammation of the skin of the heel, sometimes of the fore, but oftener of 

 the hind-foot. It is not a contagious disease, although when it once appears 

 in a stable it frequently goes through it, for it is usually to be traced to bad 

 stable management. The skin of the heel of the horse somewhat differs 

 tVom that of any other part. There is a great deal of motion in the fetlock, 

 and to prevent the skin from excoriation or chapping, it is necessary that it 

 should be kept soft and pliable; therefore, in the healthy state of the part, 

 the skin of the heel has a peculiar greasy feel. Under inflammation, the 

 secretion of this greasy matter is stopped ; the heels become red, dry, and 

 scurfy ; and being almost constantly in motion, cracks soon succeed : these 

 sometimes extend, and the whole surface of the heel becomes a mass of 

 soreness, ulceration and fungus. 



The heel is subject to this virulent inflammation, on account of its sifua- 



