290 GREASE. 



ger of bringing back the inflammation of the skin, and the dis- 

 charge from it ; but the actual cautery, special care being taken 

 not to penetrate the skin, may occasionally be resorted to. 



In some cases the cracks are not confined to the centre of the 

 heels, but spread over them, and extend on the fetlock, and even 

 up the leg, while the legs are exceedingly swelled, and there is a 

 watery discharge from the cracks, and an apparent oozing through 

 the skin at other places. The legs are exceedingly tender and 

 sometimes hot, and there is an appearance which the farrier thinks 

 very decisive as to the state of the disease, and which the better 

 informed man should not overlook — tlie heels smoke — the skin is 

 so hot, that the watery fluid partly evaporates as it runs from the 

 cracks or oozes through the skin. 



There will be great danger in suddenly stopping this discharge. 

 Inflammation of a more important part has rapidly succeeded to 

 the injudicious attempt. The local application should be directed 

 to the abatement of the inflammation. The poultices just referred 

 to should be diligently used night and day, and especially the 

 carrot-poultice ; and when the heat, and tenderness, and stiffness 

 of motion have diminished, astringent lotions may be applied — 

 either the alum lotion, or a strong decoction of oak-bark, changed, 

 or used alternately, but not mixed. The cracks should likewise 

 be dressed Avith the ointment above-mentioned ; and, the moment 

 the horse can bear it, a flannel bandage should be put on, reach- 

 ing from the coronet to three or four inches above the swelling. 



The medicine should be confined to mild diuretics, mixed with 

 one-third part of cordial mash ; or, if the horse is gross, and the 

 inflammation runs high, a dose of physic may be given. If the 

 horse is strong, and fall of flesh, physic should always precede 

 and sometimes supercede the diuretics. In cases of much debil- 

 ity, diuretics, with aromatics or tonics, will be preferable. 



The feeding should likewise vary with the case, but with these 

 rules, which admit of no exception, that green meat should be 

 given, and more especially carrots, when they are not too expen- 

 sive, and mashes, if the horse will eat them, and never the full 

 allowance of corn. 



Walking exercise should be resorted to as soon as the horse is 

 able to bear it, and this by degrees may be increased to a gentle 

 trot. 



From, bad stable management at first, and neglect during the 

 disease, a yet worse kind of grease occasionally appears. The 

 .ilceration extends over the skin of the heal and the fetlock, and a 

 fungus springs from the surface of both, highly sensible, bleeding 

 nt the slightest touch, and interspersed with scabs. By degrees, 

 portions of the fungus begin to be covered with a horny substance 

 protruding in the form of knobs, and collected together in bunches. 



