288 GREASE. 



extremities would sympathize. Mild diuretics and tonics would 

 therefore be evidently indicated. 



Horses in the spring and fall are subject to swelled legs. Tho 

 powers of the constitution are principally employed in providing a 

 new coat for the animal, and the extremities have not their share 

 of vital influence. Mingled cordials and diuretics are indicated 

 here — the diuretic to lessen the quantity of the circulating fluid, 

 and the cordial to invigorate the frame. 



Swelled legs are often teasing in horses that are in tolerable or 

 good health : but where the work is somewhat irregular, the cure 

 consists in giving more equal exercise, walking the horse out daily 

 when the usual work is not required, and using plenty of friction 

 in the form of hand-rubbing. Bandages have a greater and more 

 durable eflect, for nothing tends more to support the capillary ves- 

 sels, and rouse the action of the absorbents, than moderate pres- 

 sure. Hay-bands will form a good bandage for the agricultural 

 horse, and their effect will probably be increased by previously 

 dipping them in water. 



The physic, or the diuretic ball may occasionally be used, but 

 very sparingly : and only when they are absolutely required. In 

 the hands of the owner of the horse, or the veterinary surgeon, 

 they may be employed with benefit ; but in those of the carter or 

 the groom they will do far more harm than good. The frequent 

 and undue stimulus of the urinary organs by the diuretic ball, will 

 be too often followed by speedy and incurable debility. If the 

 swelling bids defiance to exercise, and friction, and bandage, the 

 aid of the diuretic may be resorted to, but never until these 

 have failed, unless there is an evident tendency to humor or 

 grease. 



GREASE.* 



Swelled legs, although distinct from grease, is a disease that is 

 apt to degenerate into it. G-rease is a specific inflammation of 

 the skin of the heels, sometimes of the fore-feet, but oftener of the 

 hinder ones. It is noj; a contagious disease, as some have asserted, 

 although when it once appears in a stable it frequently attacks 

 almost every horse in it. Bad stable management is the true 

 cause of it. 



There is a peculiarity about the skin of the heel of the horse. 

 In its healthy state there is a secretion of greasy matter from it, in 

 order to prevent excoriation and chapping, and the skin is soft and 

 pliable. Too often, however, from bad management, the secre- 

 tion of this greasy raiatter is stopped, and the skin of the heel be- 

 comes red, and dry, and scurfy. The joint still continuing to bo 



* A variety of this is termed " Scratches" in the United States. — Am. Ed 



