21 8 Common Diseases of the Horse 



Grease 



This is a chronic inflammation of the skin about the heels and 

 fetlocks. 



The disease starts with a little weeping or discharge from the 

 skin, and, if speedy attention is not given, it gradually spreads 

 until the whole of the parts become involved in a stinking, greyish- 

 coloured, semi-liquid discharge. In time the skin becomes greatly 

 thickened, and fleshy-looking tumours form, varying in size from 

 a pea to a walnut, and in number from two or three to scores. 

 Frequently the increase in size of the fetlocks is enormous; they 

 become two or three times their ordinary size, and covered with 

 " raw grapes ", causing a most unsightly appearance. 



Treatment. — Chronic grease is practically incurable. When the 

 " grapes " have formed, and considerable increase in the size of the 

 limb has taken place, one can only endeavour to keep it in check 

 and prevent the nuisance of the stench by palliative treatment. 

 With this object in view, strong astringent lotions are indicated. 

 A fairly effective dressing consists in i part of chloride of zinc to 

 lo parts of water. In the very early stage curative treatment is 

 fairly hopeful. Rest is not beneficial; a dose of physic is to be 

 recommended, and after purging has stopped a light diet and work 

 may be continued. The weeping or desquamating parts may be 

 washed with a solution of formalin (i in 40), and afterwards dressed 

 night and morning with a i-in-20 strength of the same solution. 

 Other lotions recommended are a 10 per cent solution of sulphate 

 of zinc or alum. 



When the discharge has existed for some little time, and per- 

 haps one or two grapes have formed, a medicated poultice is good 

 to clean and soothe the surface of the skin. The poultice may be 

 made with bran or linseed, to which some powdered charcoal has 

 been added, afterwards using a 5 per cent solution of a coal-tar 

 disinfectant to complete it. 



Thrush 



This is a discharge from the cleft of the frog. It is caused by 

 neglect of cleanliness, and allowing the horse to stand in wet, dirty 

 stables. For this reason the hind feet are more commonly affected 

 than the fore. Excessive paring and want of use of the frog are 

 other responsible causes. 



Treatment. — The animal must be placed under good stable 

 management, i.e. to stand on a clean, dry floor. The frog must 



