SCRATCHES, OR GREASE. 157 



There are also other forms in which the disease presents 

 itself. In Europe, the disease appears, generally, by a large 

 s\Yelling of the leg, called stocJiing, and from this runs into 

 grease. In other cases, neither scratches nor swelled leg pre- 

 cede, but the case assumes the form of grease from the first. 

 This is called star-foot. I have seen colts of a star-foot mare, 

 with the hair standing erect about the feet at four months of 

 age, commence to run grease at two or three years old, or as 

 soon as taken into the stable. This affection is evidently 

 hereditary in these cases. 



Causes. — Percival says: "The presence of grease is a pretty 

 infallible test of negligent grooming." Nature has adapted the 

 different parts of every animal most perfectly to the uses for 

 which they are intended. The heel of the race-horse is covered 

 with a thin skin and fine, short hair, evidently for the purpose 

 of quick action ; that of the dray or farm-horse is covered 

 with long, thick hair, and the skin is very thick. 



There is a large quantity of oily matter poured out on the 

 heel of the horse, for the purpose of keeping the skin soft and 

 pliable, to enable the horse to perform his motions with ease. 

 This oil also prevents, to a considerable extent, the mud and 

 snow from sticking to the heels. Whatever removes this oil 

 will render the skin dry, and disposed to crack and inflame, 

 and, consequently, give rise to scratches. 



Any thing that will produce inflammation of the skin of the 

 heel, or in any way weaken it, will cause the disease. Work- 

 ing a horse on muddy roads, and allowing the mud to remain 

 on his legs over night, or washing the legs after the day's labor, 

 and not properly and thoroughly drying them ; cutting the 

 long hair off of the fetlock ; allowing the horse to stand where 

 a current of air will strike the heels, from an open door or 

 cracks in the stable behind his stall; suffering the feet to re- 

 main filled with dirt, etc. ; allowing the dung and urine to accu- 

 mulate in the stable or stall; allowing the water from the 

 manure to accumulate in ponds about the stable-door, or in the 



