HORSES AND MULES. 305 



the purpose. Mayhew recommends putting ou the shoe and 

 putting in wedges. 



Cracked Heels, called by English farriers Grease, is a dis- 

 ease "which follows thrush, and can often be said to be only 

 a continuation of it. It is the oozing out of the ulcerated 

 matter attending disease within. Either the cofBn or the navi- 

 cular joint is affected. The skin of the heel becomes dry and 

 feverish, cracks open, and foul matter exudes. If not checked, 

 the whole heel becomes a mass of putrefaction, lilthy and ofi'en- 

 sive. Grease never occurs when there is a decent attention to 

 the care of the animal. To let it go on after it is once discov- 

 ered is shameless brutality, and should be a State Prison offence. 

 A growth o^ funr/ics, or proud flesh, will commence from the 

 sores, which will soon harden and become horny. During all 

 this time the poor creature suffers untold agony. As a preven- 

 tive of Cracked Heels we recommend clean stables, good bed- 

 ding, rubbing the legs when the horse comes in from the wet, 

 and a warm dry stable in cold and wet weather. The practice 

 of dashing water on the heels and leaving them to dry as best 

 they will, is a fruitful cause of diseased feet. When the legs 

 are wet they should always be rubbed dry with a cloth, or a 

 wisp of straw. 



As soon as cracked heels are discovered, or the heel becomes 

 dry, hot and scurfy, wash with soap and water, and rub dry; 

 tlien apply the corrosive liniment for three or four days. After 

 this, iipply the glycerine ointment for the same length of time. 

 If the disease is not discovered until the grease begins to exude 

 and hang on the hair about the fetlock, cut off all the long haii, 

 and pursue the same course as above. In either case, give the 

 horse almost entire rest while operating on him, or a cure will 

 be doubtful. An hour's moderate exercise daily will be benefi* 

 cial. We will not o-ive directions for treatina; the worse stages 



