Grease* 109 



Now, the common practice of washiiiij; the limbs of Horses, 

 after they have been exposed to the filth of the streets and roads in 

 winter, (though originating in cleanliness) is, frequently, the 

 means of bringing on Grease, unless they be rubbed dry immedi- 

 ately. — For, though usually, the heat which has been produced by 

 exercise, (having difluscd itself to the limbs of the animal) will be 

 gufficient to evaporate the moisture, without cooling the skin to so 

 great a degree, as to produce inflammation, in consequence of the 

 re-action of its blood vessels ; yet, when two or three buckets of 

 cold water, have been applied to the legs, some time after the ani- 

 mal has been in a state of rest, and the warmth of the surface has 

 gone off, it happens occasionally, that this re-action does not stop at 

 the precise point of a healthy condition of the part, but going be- 

 yond it, inflammation is a necessary consequence ; especially, if the 

 Horse's limbs be left Avet, and exposed to a current of cold air. 

 Hence, heat and swelling of the part, are the first symptoms, to 

 which succeed slight cracks or chops, and lastly, when from negli- 

 gence, the inflammation passes into the second or suppurative stage, 

 large ulcers are formed in the skin, which, now and then, become 

 deep, and very extensive. — It may be right to notice here, that the 

 peculiar mode of catching up the limbs, which is often observed in^ 

 Horses affected with the Grease, and which serves in a great degree, 

 to characterize the disease, depends upon the existence of ulcers or 

 chops in the skin. For, in severe cases of this disease, the Horse 

 will stand instinctively, for several hours together, without moving, 

 on account of the pain attendant on motion ; and thus a partial 

 union of the lips of the ulcers is brought about, during the state of 

 quiescence ; but when he is made to move in his stall, the skin con= 



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