102 DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



GEEASE. 



This disease shows iiself in connection with the heels of a 

 horse, especially the hind ones. It is known as "grease" on ac- 

 count of the oily or greasy character of the discharge which takes 

 place form the affected parts. Heavy horses are far more subject 

 to an attack than the lighter breeds. It is not contagious. 



Causes. Certain kinds of horses are subject to this trouble, 

 as the heavier breeds, those possessing flat feet and having lar^e 

 quantities of hair on their limbs, etc. The most common cause 

 of grease is scratches, and the various causes which operate in 

 producing cracked heels also operate in producing grease, as 

 washing the parts too frequently, or washing and not drying, the 

 improper use of blisters, etc. 



Symptoms. There is more or less swelling of the parts, ac- 

 companied by redness, and soon followed by a slight discharge. 

 Soon the discharge becomes oily in character, the hair comes out, 

 and the skin is considerably inflamed. The odor of the discharge 

 draws attention to the parts whenever one approaches the animal, 

 and if not actively and properly treated the tense tender skin 

 cracks open, leaving open sores from which vascular bleeding 

 growths grow up, constituting the "grapes." This is known as 

 the grapous stage. The heel may now appear as one mass of 

 rounded, red, small, angry, tumor-like processes (similar to 

 grapes), which bleed on handling and have a very offensive dis- 

 charge. When grease extends to and involves the frog of the 

 horse's foot it is known as canker. Neglected or improperly 

 treated grease may terminate in big leg. 



Treatment. In bad cases of grease the first thing to be done 

 is to give a good physic to clean out the bowels, and follow it up 



