DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 815 



Galls, which in farriery means sores produced by the friction of the saddle, or any part 

 of the harness, are best remedied by removing the cause and see that every part of the har 

 ness and saddle fit properly, and there is no uneven pressure, since it is better to prevent 

 such evils than to cure them. Apply twice a day some of the following mixture: Lauda 

 num, two ounces; tannin, two drachms. When partially healed, pulverized charred leather 

 and lard, well mixed and applied, will aid in the healing process, and also prevent the hair 

 from growing out white. 



Washing the galled places with a solution of sugar of lead, or dressing with equal parts of 

 mutton-tallow and beeswax, melted together, are also good remedies. In all cases, there 

 should be allowed no pressure upon the part until it is perfectly healed. 



Where there is a liability of an abscess forming, such as where lumps are formed or the 

 skin callous, take out the stuffing from the collar directly over where the injury lies; this 

 will relieve the pressure at that point. In all cases of galls there should be no friction on the 

 part, during the healing process, by the wearing of the collar or harness. Give nature a 

 chance to repair the injury and she will generally do it unaided. 



An old stage- driver of long experience that we used to know, and who was noted for 

 keeping his teams sound, always washed the shoulders and breasts of his horses as soon as 

 the harness was taken off, using cold water in the summer and lukewarm water in the win 

 ter. After rubbing nearly dry, he washed them daily with a decoction of smartweed (Poly- 

 gonum hydropiper) in the summer, when there was most danger of galled shoulders. 



In the winter he used the smartweed only about once a week, and his horses never had 

 sore necks or shoulders, though in constant and hard usage upon the road. 



Glanders. This is the worst disease with which a horse may be afflicted, and a glan- 

 dered horse is a dangerous animal to have about, since the contagion is very easily communi 

 cated both to man and animals. There are instances of those having died of it who have had 

 charge of horses with this disease. It is, therefore, the safer and better way to kill a glan- 

 dered horse at once. The cause of this disease is lack of cleanliness, poor ventilation in 

 stables, catarrhal diseases, reduced and weakened condition of the system, lung fever, and 

 any disease that may generate pus, and which by being absorbed by the system poisons the 

 blood. 



The first stage of this disease is characterized by a dark hue of the nostrils, accompanied 

 by a discharge of thin, transparent fluid. This may possibly continue for months. The dis 

 charge eventually becomes thicker, of a gluey consistency, and the lining membrane of the 

 nostrils has sores upon it. This ulceration of the nose will generally extend into the throat. 

 The coat will be rough and unhealthy-looking, and frequently the animal becomes hide-bound. 

 The legs also swell, and the body wastes away in flesh. If the discharge from the nostril of 

 a glandered horse should come in contact with a wound or a mucous surface, such, for 

 instance, as the lining of the nosfcril, it will produce a similar disease. The danger attending 

 the persons having the care of such horses is so great, and the disease so very contagious to 

 other animals that, as previously stated, no cure should be attempted, and a well-directed 

 bullet through the brain will prove the best remedy in such cases. 



Grease (Scratches). This is an inflammation of the skin of the heels of the horse. 

 It sometimes is found in the fore-feet, but more frequently in the hind ones. Swelled legs 

 will sometimes degenerate into this disease. Grease is caused mainly by bad stable manage 

 ment ; permitting the mud and dirt to dry and remain in the heels, cutting away the hair that 

 gives a natural protection to the heels; wet and filthy stables; standing in the cold when the 

 heels are wet ; or washing them and permitting them to dry off by evaporation. Untrimmed 

 horses are less liable to have them than those from whose legs and heels the hair has been 

 closely cut. Some horses seem to have a constitutional tendency to this disease. There is 



