LEGS OF THE HORSE, THEIR ACCIDENTS AND DISEASES. 353 



III. Stocking. 



Stocking is the name given to swelling of the legs, usually confined to 

 the parts below the knees and hocks, although in bad cases it extends 

 above these joints. 



Causes. — Weakness of the tissues of the legs, being unable to support 

 the pressure above ; weak, watery, impoverished condition of the blood, 

 and the legs being the most dependant part, it settles on them. Stand- 

 ing still is a very common cause, so much so that there is a good deal of 

 it just from standing from night till morning. It is most common in 

 badly drained and illy ventilated stables ; and young horses are more 

 subject to it than older ones. It is often a symptom of some disease 

 that requires attention ; for stocking in disease is always a symptom of 

 weakness which needs tonics and stimulants. 



How to know It. — Swelling of the legs without other symptoms of dis- 

 ease ; the swelling entirely disappearing with exercise, but returning 

 when standing any length of time. 



What to do. — Give the following tonic, one powder night and morn- 

 ing, in the feed : 



No, 22. 1)4 Ounce pure sulphate of iron, 



2 Ounces nitrate of potash, 

 Powder and mix. 

 Divide into twelve powders. 



Shower the legs with cold water in hot weather, but omit the water 

 in cold weather, give gentle exercise to reduce the swelling, and when 

 coming in from exercise or work, bandage them tight; if in summer, 

 use cotton bandages ; in winter use flannel. 



Avoid all strong, irritating or blistering applications. If necessary, 

 repeat the powders. Remove the bandages when going out for exercise, 

 and give the legs hand-rubbing. 



rv. Elephantiasis or Lymphangitis. 

 This disease, sometimes called weed, is more particularly a blood dis- 

 ease, but oeing located entirely, by outward appearances, in the legs, we 

 will consider it in this connection. It is usually seen in fat animals, 

 rarely in poor ones. It is a species of surfeit and indicates a fat, ple- 

 thoric condition of the system, more so than the excretory organs can 

 take care of. It usually attacks one leg, and that a hind leg, though 

 sometimes it is seen in both hind legs, and occasionally in the fore legs. 

 It comes on suddenly after standing still a day or two or more. It often 

 develops between Saturday night and Monday morning. The lymphatic 

 glands of the leg become inflamed and unable to perform their func- 

 tions, and the superfluous nutritive material is thrown back ; the coats of 



