306 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



they become covered at the edges or throughout by firm incrusta- 

 tions resulting from the drying of the liquids thrown out, and the 

 skin becomes increasingly thick and rigid. A similar condition 

 occurs behind the knee and in front of the hock (malanders and 

 salanders), and may extend from these points to the hoof, virtu- 

 ally incasing that side of the limb in a permanent incrusting sheath. 



Causes. Besides a heavy lymphatic constitution, which pre- 

 disposes to this affection, the causes are overfeeding on grain, un- 

 wholesome fodder, close, hot, dirty stables, constant contact with 

 dung and urine and their emanations, working in deep, irritant 

 mud; above all, in limestone districts, irritation by dry limestone 

 or sandy dust in dry weather on dirt roads; also cold drafts, snow 

 and freezing mud, washing the legs with caustic soap, wrapping the 

 wet legs in thick woolen bandages which soak the skin and render 

 it sensitive when exposed next day, clipping the heels, weak heart 

 and circulation, natural or supervening on overwork, imperfect 

 nourishment, impure air, lack of sunshine, chronic exhausting, or 

 debilitating diseases, or functional or structural diseases of the heart, 

 liver, or kidneys. These last induce dropsical swellings of the limbs 

 (stocking), weaken the parts, and induce cracking. Finally the 

 cicatrix of a pre-existing crack, weak, rigid, and unyielding, is liable 

 to reopen under any severe exertion, hence -rapid paces and heavy 

 draft are active causes. 



Treatment. In treatment the first step is to ascertain and re- 

 move the cause whenever possible. If there is much local heat and 

 inflammation, a laxative (5 drams aloes or 1 pound Glauber's salt) 

 may be given, and for the pampered animal the grain should be 

 reduced or replaced altogether by bran mashes, flaxseed, and other 

 laxative, non-stimulating food. In the debilitated, on the other 

 hand, nutritious food and bitter tonics may be given, and even a 

 course of arsenic (5 grains arsenic with 1 dram bicarbonate of soda 

 daily). When the legs swell, exercise on dry roads, hand rubbing, 

 and evenly applied bandages are good, and mild astringents, like 

 extract of witch-hazel, may be applied and the part subsequently 

 rubbed dry and bandaged. If there is much heat but unbroken 

 ekin, a lotion of 2 drams sugar of lead to 1 quart of water may be 

 applied on a thin bandage, covered in cold weather with a dry one. 

 The same may be used after the cracks appear, or a solution of sul- 

 phurous acid 1 part, glycerin 1 part, and water 1 part, applied on 

 cotton and well covered by a bandage. In case these should prove 

 unsuitable to the particular case, the part may be smeared with 

 vaseline 1 ounce, sugar of lead 1 dram, and carbolic acid 10 drops. 

 INFLAMMATION OF THE HEELS WITH SEBACEOUS SECRETION (GREASE, 



OR CANKER). 



This is a specific affection of the heels of horses usually asso- 

 ciated with the growth of a parasitic fungus, an offensive discharge 

 from the numerous sebaceous glands, and, in bad cases, the forma- 

 tion of red, raw excrescences (grapes) from the surface. It is to be 

 distinguished (1) from simple inflammation in which the special 

 fetid discharge and the tendency to the formation of grapes are ab- 



