SWELLED LEGS GENERALLY. 141 



degree of treatment. Repeated blisters are the most likely 

 to afford relief. These, by exciting a considerable degree 

 of inflammation on the skin, may energize the deeper-seated 

 absorbents, and enable them to take up the effusion of fluid 

 in the enlarged and inflamed bag. But, in the majority of 

 cases, all means which have hitherto been tried have proved 

 abortive. 



OF SWELLED LEGS GENERALLY. 



SWELLING OF THE CELLULAR SUBSTANCE. 



Both the fore and hind legs of horses are liable to con- 

 siderable swelling, but the latter are most subject to be thus 

 affected. Frequently, when a horse seems to be affected 

 with no other disease, the hind legs will suddenly swell to 

 a very great extent from the hock to the fetlock, and in 

 some instances even from the stifle downwards. This is 

 accompanied by heat and extreme tenderness of the skin, 

 inducing lameness of a peculiar character. A quickened 

 and hard pulse are usual concomitants of this seizure, with 

 a considerable degree of fever. This complaint is acute 

 inflammation of the cellular substance of the limbs, being 

 sudden in its attack, very violent in its degree, is con- 

 sequently attended with the secretion of a quantity of fluid 

 on the cellular tissue. Young horses, and those which are 

 over-fed, with little exercise, are most liable to be thus 

 attacked, and without having had previous inflammation. 



Remedies. — If accompanied by fever, moderate bleeding 

 will afford relief ; after which the following diuretic should 

 be given : — 



Turpentine • • • i ounce, 

 Ginger . . . . ^ drachm, 

 Lintseed meal . . ^ ounce ; 



made into a ball with common syrup. 



