268 THE HOESE BOOK. 



If the warts spring from a small neck they may 

 be snipped off with sharp scissors and the spot 

 from which they were cut seared to stop the 

 bleeding. Or a silk thread may be tied tightly 

 around the neck of the wart and in time it will 

 slough off. 



Lice and diseases of the skin are best com- 

 bated by the application of some good coaltar 

 dip diluted according to the instructions of the 

 makers. Care should of course be taken to wash 

 for lice or dip for parasitic skin disease during 

 pleasant weather. 



Sores on the legs of horses are an almost 

 sure sign that systemic treatment is required. 

 Scratches and cracked heels are no exception 

 to this rule. In cases of scratches and cracked 

 heels water should never be applied. Keep the 

 parts dry at any cost. Apply a little bland 

 ointment, wipe it off night and morning and 

 thoroughly hand-rub the parts. The friction 

 seems to be a necessary part of successful 

 treatment. In the meantime the horse's diges- 

 tive apparatus must be put in good working 

 order. Cases of grease heel are almost hope- 

 less and entail in the attempt to effect a cure a 

 long continued course of diet which includes no 

 grain, systemic treatment and surgical opera- 

 tion as well. 



Finally we approach the subject of groom- 

 ing and clipping. To a fine-haired horse the 

 currycomb is an instrument of torture. Its 



